Fact-checkers. Women in fact-checking initiatives in the southern countries of the European Union

Introduction: The rise of misinformation across various communication channels, especially those supported by the Internet and social media, has made fact-checking increasingly crucial. Consequently, media outlets have reinforced these tasks, leading to the emergence of new business and social initiatives aimed at providing certainty to the public about what is true and false in the information they receive. While many academic studies address this concerning phenomenon, analyzing everything from the structure and content of hoaxes to the attitudes of those who receive and sometimes forward them, few inquire into the individuals working in fact-checking, let alone the presence of women in this new work environment. This study examines fact-checking initiatives in Southern European Union countries, particularly focusing on their working conditions by quantifying the involvement of women and the roles they play. Methodology: The research is based on the Fact-Checking Initiative Census compiled by the Reporters' Lab at Duke University for Croatia, Slovenia, Spain, Greece, Italy, and Portugal in its 2023 update (N=20); the websites of the initiatives listed in the census; and European Union statistics from Eurostat, specifically from Eurostat labour market data. The sample selection criterion was the country where the verification initiatives are located, and the methodology being used was data analysis using descriptive statistical techniques. The data was enriched by monitoring the analyzed websites and their publications for one year. Results: The findings reveal that women constitute more than half of the workforce in the analyzed initiatives, significantly surpassing their representation in the overall employed population. Additionally, the presence of women in managerial positions is proportionally higher than that quantified across all businesses. Discussion and Conclusions: The discussion highlights how this emerging professional landscape offers opportunities to advance gender equality in journalism.