Fact-checking Fact-checkers

“Truth” in a complicated world seems to come down to “trust”

The next several weeks will offer a lot of information. How much will be true is a significant question. As I got pulled into this question, I decided to see if I could follow the golden thread to the heart of truth. In the process, I found some of the ways fact checkers vary in their methods and results.

I set off to find “the best” …

and began here with six fact checkers offered by Berkley Library:

• Politifact Pulitzer Prize winning site run by editors and reporters from the Tampa Bay Times (Florida) newspaper. "PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics.... The PolitiFact state sites are run by news organizations that have partnered with the Times." Read about their principles under 'About Us.'

• FactCheck.org "FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania....a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We 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."

• OpenSecrets.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."

• Fact Check (Washington Post) "The purpose of this Web site, and an accompanying column in the Sunday print edition of The Washington Post, is to “truth squad” the statements of political figures regarding issues of great importance, be they national, international or local."

• Snopes "The definitive Internet reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation."

• Duke Reporters' Lab: Fact Checking Includes a database of global fact-checking sites, which can be viewed as a map or as a list; also includes how they identify fact-checkers.

Harvard Kennedy School reported a high correlation between Politifact and Snopes so I narrowed my search to those two and then eliminated Snopes because over time, I’ve found a lot of people who don’t trust Snopes.

And the more I wander along this political path, the more that fact checking seems to be a matter of whom you trust.

PolitiFact appears to be a product of the Poynter Institute, a non-profit journalism school and research organization based in St. Petersburg, Florida, which also leads an International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) of fact-checkers around the world.

My choice of trusted sources

Since I have committed to following and reporting on this election cycle, you have a right to know my trusted sources:

Fact-checker: Politifact

Newsletters: There are so many smart, experienced newsletter writers who make up for the chasm that has opened in traditional media that I find myself depending more and more on them. The list is up to 31 so I’ll add them below for your reference. I also plan to add at least two other voices with each post.

Other Voices:

• I didn’t read Ruth Ben-Ghiat’s post What to Watch For in Tonight's Debate until after the debate but it made me respect her take even more as she said, “With Trump involved, this cannot and will not be a true debate.” Then she adds, “He may introduce some new twists on his favored propaganda themes —successful indoctrination requires some variation, so the public does not grow bored— but the rhetoric and emotion that has made his base see Democrats as political enemies will continue.” Thus, immigrants eating pets … just more hate fodder for the base.

• If you missed the Harris/Trump debate (or just want a quick overview),

  Liza Donnelly
  offers you just the thing: Harris Gets To Trump And Wins Debate. I so love this image of the handshake which is when I knew it was going to be a good night.

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Newsletters: alphabetical by last name (primarily Substack and the list will grow)

Ruminato by Charles Bastille

Lucid by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Historian of authoritarians, propaganda, democracy protection. NYU Professor.

America, America by Steven Beschloss
Writer, journalist, editor, filmmaker, professor.

Brian Tyler Cohen by Brian Tyler Cohen
Political commenter, author.

Seeing Things by Liza Donnelly
Cartoonist and writer for The New Yorker, NY TImes.

The Dworkin Report by Scott Dworkin
Journalist with a long history of standing up to corrupt leaders. 

Chop Wood; Carry Water by Jessica Craven
Activist, organizer, climate hawk.

Democracy Docket by Marc E. Elias
Nationally recognized authority in voting rights, redistricting and law.

Adam Kinzinger by Adam Kinzinger
Husband, dad, pilot, Lt. Col in @AirNatlGuard, CNN Senior Political Commentator, former Congressman (republican).

Through the Fog by Elliot Kirschner
Filmmaker, writer, and optimist.

Michael Moore by Michael Moore
Political activist on a mission with a sense of humor.

Public Notice by Lisa Needham
Attorney and freelance writer specializing in covering reproductive health issues and the federal courts. 

The Last Word by Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNBC

Johnny’s Substack by Johnny Palmadessa
Digital strategist and journalist.

The Beautiful Mess by John Pavlovitz
A longtime pastor and current author, speaker, activist and storyteller

Pepperperspectives by David Pepper
Democracy champion and author of “Saving Democracy: a User’s Guide.”

The Message Box by Dan Pfeiffer
Co-host of Pod Save America, Former Senior Advisor to President Obama. Focused on defeating Donald Trump and extreme MAGA.

David Plouffe
Senior campaign manager to Kamala Harris and former campaign manager for Barack Obama.

Steady by Dan Rather
Long history of wisdom and integrity.

Robin Reardon Writes by Robin Reardon
Stories about people whose destinies are not determined solely by their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Robert Reich by Robert Reich
Professor, writer, former Secretary of Labor.

Letters from an American by Heather Cox Richardson
A newsletter about the history behind today’s politics.

Hopium Chronicles by Simon Rosenberg
Veteran Political Analyst, Strategist and Commentator. 2 Presidential campaigns (incl Clinton War Room), senior roles at DNC, DCCC, NDN.

Need to Know by David Rothkopf
Commentary and analysis on national and international politics and policies

Thinking About … by Timothy Snyder
Historian … opening the future by understanding the past.

everyone is entitled to my own opinion by Jeff Tiedrich
Political humor and calls himself an “internet loudmouth.”

The Good in Us by Mary L. Trump Mom, writer, liberal progressive, pro-democracy American.

Lucian Truscott Newsletter by Lucian K. Truscott IV
Journalist, novelist and screenwriter.

Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance
Law Prof, MSNBC/NBC Legal Analyst, Podcaster.

How Project 2025 will ruin your life by Andra Watkins
Survivor of Christian Nationalism.

Freedom Over Fascism by Stephanie G. Wilson, PhD
Historian and host Freedom Over Fascism

Sources:

Harvard Kennedy School, “Fact-checking” fact checkers: A data-driven approach

Berkley Library, Real News/Fake News: Fact Checkers