LibGuides: Journalism : Fact Checking & Accuracy

Why fact check?

Critically evaluating information is important for both consumers and producers of information. As a journalist, it is essential that you assess the accuracy of the information you present, no matter the source. Inaccurate information may be the results of simple mistakes, outdated information, confusing or misleading information, or outright lies.

The Society of Professional Journalists states in it's Code of Ethics, that "Ethical journalism strives to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough."

This page includes approaches on fact-checking your writing as well as resources for evaluating claims made by other journalists.

How to be a Fact-Checker

(6m 53s)

From the PBS Series Take on Fake, multimedia journalist Laura Garcia from First Draft walks us through how she fact-checked a viral video of an "escaped coronavirus patient" using free tools on the internet.

7 steps to better fact-checking
By Angie Drobnic Holan, Politifact
August 20, 2014
Accuracy checklist for journalists
By Sally Kilbridge, The Reynolds Center for Business and Journalism.
June 21, 2017
Accuracy Checklist for Reporters
By Barbara Gray, Associate Professor and Chief Librarian at Newmark J-School
2023
Seeing isn't Believing: The Fact Checker's Guide to Manipulated Video
Developed by Nadine Ajaka, Glenn Kessler, and Elyse Samuels of the Washington Post.

Media Fact checking tools

Factcheck.org
A project of the Annenberg Public Policy Institute. A nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. They monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases.
Politifact
PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics. PolitiFact is run by editors and reporters from the Tampa Bay Times, an independent newspaper in Florida, as is PunditFact, a site devoted to fact-checking pundits. The Tampa Bay Times is owned by the not-for-profit Poynter Institute. The PolitiFact state sites are run by news organizations that have partnered with the Times. The state sites and PunditFact follow the same principles as the national site.
OpenScecrets.org
Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, the Center for Responsive Politics is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. Our vision is for Americans, empowered by access to clear and unbiased information about money’s role in politics and policy, to use that knowledge to strengthen our democracy. Our mission is to produce and disseminate peerless data and analysis on money in politics to inform and engage Americans, champion transparency, and expose disproportionate or undue influence on public policy.
Interactive Media Bias Chart
Browse and search for popular media sources to see where they fall on the political left-right axis and reliability rankings.

University Library

Journalism

Why fact check?

How to be a Fact-Checker

Media Fact checking tools