Fact-check journalism: does it influence political behaviour?
Alumni lecture series
Tuesday 18 March 2025 13:00 to 14:00Speakers: |
Tom Edgington senior journalist in the BBC’s forensic journalism unit, BBC Verify. |
Location: |
Virtual Event |
About the event
Recent decisions by Meta and Google have reignited debate over the role of fact-checking in combating misinformation, its influence on political discourse, and its place in democracy. But does fact-checking truly shape the behaviour of politicians, or is it primarily a tool for public engagement?
In this talk, BBC Verify journalist and Green Templeton College alumni fellow Tom Edgington will present findings from his research into the impact of UK fact-checking initiatives on political messaging.
Drawing on exclusive interviews with politicians, strategists, and advisers from multiple UK governments and political parties this project explores how fact-checking is perceived within the corridors of power and whether it meaningfully alters political communication.
Join us for an insightful discussion on the influence of fact-checkers, the challenges they face in cutting through political spin, and the future of accountability in an era of misinformation.
About the speaker
Specialising in political fact-checking and public policy, he reports across television, radio and digital. Committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring accountability, Tom previously spent several years at BBC Radio 4, serving as output editor for the flagship World At One and PM programmes. During this time, he also held the role of senior political reporter and producer, covering the Brexit debate and its aftermath from BBC Westminster.
