PolitiFact

PolitiFact

PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims made by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics. It is a project of the Tampa Bay Times, a newspaper based in St. Petersburg, Florida, and was created in 2007 by Bill Adair, who was then the Washington Bureau Chief for the Times.

History

PolitiFact was launched in August 2007 to fact-check the statements made by politicians during the 2008 presidential election. The site gained prominence for its "Truth-O-Meter" rating system, which evaluates the veracity of statements on a scale ranging from "True" to "Pants on Fire". The site won the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 2009 for its coverage of the 2008 election.

Methodology

PolitiFact employs a team of journalists and researchers who investigate claims made by politicians, political parties, and other public figures. The process involves:

1. Selection of Claims: PolitiFact selects statements that are verifiable and significant to public discourse. 2. Research: The team conducts thorough research, consulting primary sources, experts, and official records. 3. Rating: After gathering evidence, the claim is rated on the Truth-O-Meter scale:

  - True
  - Mostly True
  - Half True
  - Mostly False
  - False
  - Pants on Fire

Impact

PolitiFact has influenced the way media outlets and the public engage with political discourse. Its fact-checking model has been adopted by other organizations, and it has inspired similar initiatives globally. The site has been both praised for its rigorous approach to fact-checking and criticized for perceived biases in its ratings.

Criticism

Critics of PolitiFact have argued that its ratings can be subjective and that the selection of claims to fact-check may reflect bias. Some have also questioned the consistency of its ratings. PolitiFact has responded by emphasizing its commitment to transparency and accuracy.

Expansion

Since its inception, PolitiFact has expanded its operations to include state-level fact-checking sites in partnership with local news organizations. It has also launched initiatives such as PolitiFact Global News Service to address international claims.

Also see

• FactCheck.org
• Snopes
• The Washington Post Fact Checker
• Media Bias/Fact Check