Using mobile devices and social networks as checking channels of fake news. the case of maldita.es

Abstract

The viral diffusion of information in social networks, mobile devices and messaging services favors the sharing of false and unverified news. Spain is one of the European countries that leads the reception of this type of content. This article analyzes the case of Maldita.es, a platform that identifies fake news and combats misinformation. The analysis is focused on four points: mobiles as working devices, social networks as a channel for the viralization of hoaxes and denials, the organization of verification, and the organizational model. The results show that mobile devices and social networks are the two pillars of the project: they allow to organize the information input and output, as well as the tasks of the team, and help to carry out a multiple verification work.