The Week in Fact-Checking: That article you’re writing might fail you

A journalist who covered the Brexit referendum is convinced that the traditional journalism story structure is no longer helpful in fact-checking and explaining complicated issues to readers. “Articles suck,” says Jeremy Evans, who suggests some alternatives and shares other lessons that fact-checking Brexit has taught him.

Quote of the week
“Part of the problem, of course, is that false claims are often manufactured by full-time professionals who are really good at planting pieces. Ordinary news consumers are hardly the match for a slick disinformation campaign, but journalists have the tools and resources to puncture the myths.”  — Craigslist founder Craig Newmark

The four-year fact check
A scientist studying climate change reveals how one incorrect word changed the meaning of her report and led to a misinformation campaign that took four years to fix. Read the revealing and cautionary tale in The Conversation.

Fact-checking spaghetti
HealthNewsReview.org fact-checked the predictably popular study about the health benefits of eating pasta. (Alexios’ note: I don’t care if it kills. I’m still eating my plate of pasta a day.)

Technology and the truth
Even in the allegedly truth-free world we live in, one thing is for sure: journalists *love* the “post-fact” trope. Two thoughtful pieces this week — by the editor-in-chief of the Guardianand in The New Scientist — looked at the effect of new media on the circulation of facts. For another perspective, Macedonian fact-checker Filip Stojanovski, writing in Global Voices, asks whether fact-checking can save democracy.

The art of fact-checking
An unusual art exhibit opens this week at the Toledo Museum of Art, where visitors can determine whether they weigh facts before voting in elections or if their choices are driven only by emotions. Read more about “I Approve this Message: Decoding Political Ads.”

 

Pokemon Go inspires fake news 
There have been some real stories about outrageous things that the Pokemon Go craze has led people to do — but an enormous bunch of fake stories too. One fake-news creator told Poynter he sees his work as a public service. No, really.

Fact-checking the “serial liar”
A Maine journalist describes the difficulties, frustrations and tactics in fact-checking a politician — not named Donald Trump — who happily and consistently ignores the facts.

Fact-checking the latest shootings
PolitiFact annotated Barack Obama’s speech on the shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. Meanwhile Mona Chalabi of The Guardian scrutinized a study claiming there was no racial bias in police shootings that had appeared on The New York Times.

Seriously, what are you smoking?
The Cannabis, a Denver Post site that covers the marijuana industry, is imploring readers to stop spreading “nonsense” about cannabis. They’ve fact-checked and debunked “silly stories” about Kentucky Fried Chicken’s menu and many others. 

Quick fact-checking links
(1) Brazil’s Aos Fatos turns a year old and transitions from Medium to its own site. (2) Last week’s On The Media was all about political lies. (3) Donald Trump requires a change of pitch from fact-checking journalists, argues Jay Rosen. (4) Applications to the fact-checking fellowship close Friday, July 15. (5) Would you, could you fact-check the leader of the free world? (6) PolitiFact Illinois becomes the 18th state affiliate of the Florida-born fact-checking outfit. (7) El Sabueso fact-checks jobs numbers in Mexico.

Coming up…
Beginning next Thursday for 10 weeks, we’ll publish a “DIY Fact-Checking” section challenging newsletter readers to a test of their fact-checking skills. (Supported by the Blank Family Foundation).

 

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