Beyond Belief Correction: Effects of the Truth Sandwich on Perceptions of Fact-checkers and Verification Intentions

As mis- and disinformation may threaten democracy by fuelingmisperceptions, it is important to assess the effectiveness ofjournalistic interventions combating false information. This studyaims to better understand how fact-checks relate to variousoutcomes relevant to audiences'resilience to false information.We randomly exposed 752 Dutch participants to fact-checks of adisputed health-related claim vs. no fact-check. The fact-checkseither followed a classic format which repeated the false claim orfollowed a truth sandwich format wrapping the false claim inaccurate information. While the truth sandwich was not effectivein correcting false beliefs, it had indirect benefits. First, those whosaw a truth sandwich perceived theintentionsof fact-checkersmore positively thinking that their intention was to inform ratherthan to manipulate or spread lies. Second, those who saw a truthsandwich showed theleast resistanceto reading subsequent fact-checks. For journalism practice this implies that different fact-check formats can be strategically employed to achieve desiredoutcomes. A more classic fact-check format might be preferable ifthe primary aim is to correct false beliefs, while the truthsandwich may be employed to reach more indirect and long-term aims like rebuilding confidence in fact-checkers orstimulating future verification behaviors.