Fact-checking in Iberoamerica. A sex/gender analysis

The massive implementation of Relationship, Information and Communications Technologies, especially social networks, as well as changes in habits of information consumption in a hybrid media system have triggered the exponential proliferation of fake news. To combat this, dedicated fact -checking agencies have been set up, their mission being to debunk untrue content in political or media discourse. The objective of this paper is to analyse fact -checking agencies in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal to learn their characteristics, paying special attention to the role that women play in this new profession, through the case study of all the projects included in the annual report of the Reporters' Lab census (n=54). The data shows that the majority of projects were established in 2018-2019 and remain active, are linked to civil society and have created networks to foster cooperation against the established powers. Women represent over half of the workforce in these agencies. This study quantifies, in a non -equal employment and journalistic context, the percentage of female fact -checkers, and concludes that they are a majority even in management positions. It reflects on how this business model offers opportunities for equality despite the dangerous Ibero -American scenario for journalism and women.