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 Tampa Bay 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 assigns ratings to statements ranging from "True" to "Pants on Fire" for the most egregious falsehoods.

Truth-O-Meter

The Truth-O-Meter is Politifact's signature tool for rating the accuracy of statements. The ratings are:

• True: The statement is accurate and there’s nothing significant missing.
• Mostly True: The statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information.
• Half True: The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details or takes things out of context.
• Mostly False: The statement contains an element of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression.
• False: The statement is not accurate.
• Pants on Fire: The statement is not only false but also ridiculous.

Methodology

Politifact employs a team of journalists and researchers who investigate claims by consulting original sources, interviewing experts, and reviewing relevant documents. Each fact-check is reviewed by at least three editors before publication to ensure accuracy and fairness.

Impact and Recognition

Politifact has been recognized for its contribution to journalism and public discourse. It won the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 2009 for its coverage of the 2008 presidential election. The site has been praised for its rigorous methodology and commitment to transparency.

Criticism

Despite its accolades, Politifact has faced criticism from various political figures and organizations. Some have accused it of bias, while others have questioned its rating system. Politifact maintains that it strives for neutrality and bases its ratings on factual evidence.

Global Expansion

Politifact has expanded its model internationally, partnering with media organizations in other countries to establish fact-checking operations. These partnerships aim to promote accountability and transparency in political discourse worldwide.

Also see

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