Insights, tools and research to advance journalism
The American Press Institute is leading a project to increase and improve the practice of fact-checking in journalism.
The grant-funded project will support research to improve political fact-checking. We also will work with news outlets to significantly increase the adoption of fact-checking practices as well as contribute to public debates on the topic.
You can follow the work of the project here, including our Fact-Checking Resource Page. Sign up for the weekly newsletter at bitly.com/factnews. For more information or to be involved, contact Senior Research Project Manager Jane Elizabeth at jane.elizabeth@pressinstitute.org.
While the United States is in the midst of a fact-light election featuring two of the most mistrusted candidates in history, there’s a bit of hope. A new study indicates that people can learn what’s true and what’s false after reading fact checks of political claims. Quote of the week “…media people have to do something to regain […]
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In one of the most fact-free elections in history that features two of the most mistrusted candidates in history, there may be a bit of hope. A new study indicates that people can learn what’s true and what’s false after reading fact checks of political claims. And, perhaps more surprisingly, they even learn from fact-checks that run […]
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Thirty-five fact-checking organizations from 27 countries have signed a new code of principles that emphasizes the importance of transparency and a non-partisan approach. Read the announcement and the code of principles. Quote of the week “If journalists aren’t interested in being part of the truth squad, they should find another sport.” — Washington Post Media Columnist Margaret Sullivan […]
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Who wants to be a debate moderator? via GIPHY No doubt fewer people would volunteer for that role this week after witnessing the avalanche of criticism and unsolicited advice following the acknowledged poor performance by moderator Matt Lauer at a Clinton-Trump matchup. And it’s all about the fact-checking (aka “truth-squadding“) or lack thereof. The anti-faxxers vs. the fact-checking fans. To be […]
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It’s easy to get excited about the future of automated fact-checking, but with the field still in its early days several projects are neither practically nor commercially viable. Two much-hyped projects of recent years, “Truth Goggles” and the Washington Post’s “Truth Teller” both failed to meet expectations. Yet they provide valuable lessons. Quote of the […]
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If you’re heading to the Online News Association annual conference Sept. 15-17 in Denver, stop by the American Press Institute’s booth in the conference midway at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center. From 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, we’ll be giving away free flash drives pre-loaded with plenty of teaching resources […]
Media criticism of Facebook is pouring in after a lack of editorial oversight on Monday led to a fake story being featured in the trending topics list. Facebook had gotten rid of editors for that section, but should it hire fact-checkers instead? And if so, what would they do? Here are three proposals. Quote of the […]
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Media watchers have long theorized that partisan “echo chambers” are damaging to the public’s understanding of facts. They may be onto something — the more partisan your media, the more likely you are to believe wrong information, according to a new study. Read about it on Poynter. Quote of the week “We don’t pretend to be, nor do […]
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Political reporters are showing that — at least in the context of the 2016 U.S. presidential election — fact-checking isn’t just for fact-checkers. But more remains to be done. “Noting the accuracy of a political claim should be as standard as including someone’s hometown or party affiliation,” Bill Adair says in a column for Poynter. […]
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OK, fact-checking is not an Olympic sport (yet). But the games do inspire their fair share of bombastic claims and fakery — and fact-checkers are close behind. From the science of “cupping” to the speed of Usain Bolt and the more ponderous issue of the economic impact of the Games, check out this fact-checked overview […]
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