Combating misinformation in local contexts

Abstract

The emergence of disinformation in local contexts is a phenomenon that has been poorly studied in academia. Nowadays, research has focused on exploring this type of information disorder from a global perspective and on analyzing the consequences of lies at the national and supranational level. However, the viralisation of hoaxes is equally pernicious in the urban scenario because disinformation jeopardises the sustainability and prosperity of cities, as lies hinder the progress and development of any society. Moreover, disinformation is the seed of other particularly disruptive phenomena: hate speech and ideological polarisation. For this reason, the purpose of this article is to offer a series of guidelines and indications to help local journalists to identify false information, seek the truth and create a new narrative – debunking news- that explains the truth, provides accurate context and clarify misinformation and disinformation in local contexts. It is important to rethink the role of the local journalist in cities nowadays, especially given the rise of new narratives -such as the lie- and new actors – such as fact – checking journalists.