In a Nutshell

According to a recent article in Belgium’s Le Vif, political parties on both the left and right are increasingly adopting the language and format of “fact-checking” for their own partisan communication. This trend, visible in initiatives by parties like MR and PTB, involves creating dedicated “fact-checking” sections on their websites or in their publications to refute opponents’ claims and advance their own narratives. This tactic effectively weaponizes a tool originally designed for journalistic accountability.

Experts cited in the article argue that this represents a sophisticated instrumentalization of fact-checking. By cloaking political messaging in the guise of objective verification, parties blur the lines between verified information and propaganda. This move not only serves to attack adversaries but also aims to reclaim control over the narrative and delegitimize independent media and fact-checking organizations, ultimately eroding the meaning of objective truth itself.

Our Take

Fact-checking derives its authority from its perceived impartiality. When political actors co-opt this function, they are not merely engaging in debate; they are deliberately undermining a crucial mechanism for democratic accountability. By transforming a tool for consensus-building into a weapon for partisan warfare, they accelerate polarization. This “fake-newsisation” of legitimate political disagreement turns every debate into a zero-sum battle over a single, party-approved “truth,” making healthy disagreement impossible and escalating the risk of conflict. Our work focuses on reinforcing the very firewalls—like free speech and independent verification—that are now being dismantled.