Analyzing the use of fact-checking tools in disaster-risk reduction in Europe through the lens of the heuristic-systematic model

This study explores the role of fact-checking tools in disaster-risk reduction (DRR) across Europe, applying the Heuristic-Systematic Model (HSM) to understand how people process risk-related information. It examines how individuals engage with fact-checks during crises—especially pandemics like COVID-19—and the degree to which media credibility and individual motivation affect their reliance on heuristic (quick, low-effort) versus systematic (deep, effortful) processing. The research situates fact-checking as a crucial element in DRR communication strategies to combat misinformation.

The study finds that individuals are more likely to process fact-checking content systematically when the perceived credibility of the media source is high and when the disaster personally affects them. In contrast, lower media trust and low personal involvement result in more heuristic processing. The effectiveness of fact-checks in shaping informed responses depends significantly on audience trust and cognitive engagement levels, underscoring the need for credible, accessible, and timely fact-based communication during disasters.