Truth and hegemony in the journalistic strategies to deter disinformation

Abstract

The article examines the fight against disinformation agenda pro-posed by mainstream media and fact-checking agencies. By critically analyzing the institutional discourses of those initiatives, it argues that they promote the de-politicization of the democratic dissent by appealing to an authoritarian concept of truth, dichotomizing facts and values, and uncritically endorsing hegemonic institutions. As a counterpoint to that discursive formation, the article claims a pluralist approach to truth, acknowledging discrepant normative values in on-going social disputes in Western democracies. Finally, it is suggested that the measures designed to improve citizens’ critical skills should address conflicting axiologies present in disinformation pieces and encourage a critical reading of journalistic practices.