Importance of Fact-Checking in Journalism

SOURCE www.factcheck.org
Eugene Kiely, the retiring director of FactCheck.org, reflects on his 40-year journalism career and the importance of fact-checking in today's media landscape. He emphasizes the role of fact-checking in providing truth and combating misinformation.

Key Points

  • Fact-checking is crucial in holding politicians accountable for their statements
  • FactCheck.org has been fact-checking since 2003 and expanded its coverage to include health, science, and social media misinformation
  • The organization treats both sides equally and provides hyperlinks for readers to verify the information

Pros

  • Fact-checking provides a life raft for people seeking out the truth in a landscape filled with misinformation
  • FactCheck.org ensures transparency, accuracy, and neutrality in its fact-checking process
  • Wind farms have lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels

Cons

  • Challenging landscape for news organizations with the rise of misinformation and disinformation