事實查核工作者的能力與實踐：以台灣事實查核中心為例

Abstract

在科技與網路飛進、資訊能快速流傳的當今，不實訊息也能快速產製傳播，其負面影響也越來越鮮明龐大。與之相對的，事實查核（Fact Checking）工作也正新興、受到重視。當面對大量的傳言時，事實查核工作者在實踐過程中依賴科技工具、專家、或與其他查核員的相互合作以完成工作。在此過程中，工作者會將智能分散到外在物之上，形成認知系統。本文以智能配置理論（distributed intelligence theory）的視角詮釋此認知行為，這種依目標而形成不同系統的策略行為可看出查核員的能力所在。\n\n本研究以智能配置理論觀察事實查核工作者與外在物的合作關係，為了解他們如何依此智能配置的認知行動、建構認知系統與完成工作。並以台灣事實查核中心作為研究個案，以參與觀察法取得工作者的實踐與認知行動的資料，並梳理事實查核的實踐過程。\n\n經研究發現事實查核工作可分為三部分：選題、查核、報告撰寫與發佈。不實訊息的傳播本會受社會情境背景影響，因此工作者在三部分的實踐中，皆須解決不同的困難，並依此選擇合適的智慧工具或合作對象組成認知系統，以完成工作。工作者要能完成此認知行為，仰賴對影響因素與外在工具功能的了解，此即為事實查核工作者於實踐中培養而成的重要能力。\n\n智慧工具與人脈是工作者仰賴的兩大資源。進一步拆解此智能配置的能力組成，可分為：獲取、篩選與配置三項，意指工作者若要順利地進行配置智能的行為，須能取得必需的資源，包含使用工具、聯繫受訪者的能力，並了解資源的功能與限制、以進行挑選，最終配置和驅使認知系統。且因事實查核是受到社會環境諸多影響與限制的領域，工作者處在組織與社會、文化環境的影響，能否在有限的時間、多工的工作背景等諸多限制下完成工作，也是能力之高下所在。綜上所述，研究結果顯示事實查核工作者的工作環境處在諸多限制與影響之下，工作者需得了解此工作的目標與限制、資源，將智能妥善配置到外在物之上，以進行事實查核工作。

This study focuses on the practice and abilities of fact checkers. I use distributed intelligence theory to observe the cooperative relationship between fact checkers and external objects in order to understand how they construct a cognitive system and accomplish their work based on this cognitive behavior. Take Taiwan FactCheck Center as a case study, Participant Observation is used to obtain information of the fact checkers’ practices and cognitive activities, and to sort out the fact checking practice process.\n\nWith the rapid advancement of technology and the Internet, misinformation can be produced and disseminated quickly. In contrast, Fact Checking is also emerging and gaining attention. Fact checkers rely on technological tools, experts, or collaboration with other checkers to finish their work. During this process, fact checkers disperse intelligence to external objects and form a cognitive system. My study interprets this cognitive behavior from the perspective of distributed intelligence theory, which forms different systems based on goals and objectives that can examine the ability of fact checkers.\n\nThis study found that fact checking can be divided into three parts: claims selection, checking, report writing and publication. In the practice of the three parts, fact checkers must rely on the understanding of influencing factors and the function of external tools to solve different difficulties and select appropriate smart tools or collaborators, then form a cognitive system to complete the work.\n\nSmart tools and connections are the two major resources that fact checkers rely on. The capabilities of this distributed intelligence can be further dismantled into three categories: acquisition, screening, and distribution, which means that in order to successfully perform the act of distributing intelligence, fact checkers must be able to obtain necessary resources, then distribute and drive the cognitive system. The constraints of limited time and multi-tasking are also factors in the ability of the fact checkers to work in the organizational, social, and cultural environments. The results of the research show that the fact checking working environment is under many constraints and influences, and that fact checkers need to fully understand the goals, limitations , and resources of this work, and allocate their intelligence to external objects in order to perform fact checking.