Why are many fact—checkers less optimistic today

In this episode of The Intelligence Spotlight, Alba Tobella confronts a simple but destabilising reality: verification is no longer just about checking claims. It is about defending the conditions that make truth possible.

As co-founder of Verificat, Catalonia’s first independent fact-checking organisation, Alba explains how misinformation has evolved from sporadic falsehoods into a systemic challenge. The problem is not only individual lies. It is an information ecosystem designed for speed, virality and emotional reaction.

At one point, she captures the shift bluntly: “Now everything is potentially an AI-generated content. All cute cats on the internet are not real anymore.” The remark is half light-hearted, but the warning is clear. When synthetic content becomes indistinguishable from authentic material, the burden on journalists, researchers and audiences intensifies. Verification becomes slower, more technical and more fragile.

Alba also challenges the idea that fact-checking alone can fix the crisis. Corrections rarely travel as far as the original falsehood. By the time a claim is debunked, it has often shaped public opinion. The architecture of platforms matters. Algorithms reward engagement, not accuracy, and that incentive structure shapes what societies see and believe.

The discussion moves beyond media literacy clichés. Yes, audiences need critical thinking skills. But responsibility does not sit solely with users. Platforms, regulators and institutions must confront how digital systems amplify distortion.

Throughout the conversation, intelligence is reframed in civic terms. It is not about secrecy or spycraft. It is about disciplined assessment in a contested information space. In an era where doubt itself is weaponised, the defence of truth requires infrastructure, funding and long-term commitment.