Fact-checking as a safeguard of the right to accurate information [Fact checking como garantía del derecho a la información veraz]

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze fact-checking as a safeguard of the right to accurate information from an Ecuadorian perspective. It employs a qualitative-descriptive approach with a bibliographic-documentary design, applied through a review of national regulations, specialized legal doctrine, and empirical studies on disinformation and verification in digital environments. The information was processed using hermeneutic and comparative analysis, integrating legal, ethical, and technological dimensions. The results show that fact-checking strengthens democratic oversight and helps mitigate disinformation, although its effectiveness depends on government transparency, access to public data, and institutional trust. Furthermore, limitations are identified regarding the availability of sources, the perception of independence, and the dynamics of the digital ecosystem, which necessitates its integration with public policies and proportionate regulatory frameworks.