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How does PolitiFact work?
A3. PolitiFact works by fact-checking political statements made by public figures, such as candidates and elected officials. The PolitiFact team, which includes reporters and editors, investigate the claims and rate them on the Truth-O-Meter. The ratings range from “True” for accurate claims that are well-sourced to “Pants on Fire” for false and outrageous claims. After the rating is assigned, the statement is published on PolitiFact.com and shared with the media, so that the public can easily access the facts about political claims. PolitiFact also provides analysis and context that can help readers better understand the complexities of politics.
Who owns PolitiFact?
A4. PolitiFact is owned by the Poynter Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing journalism excellence and promoting media literacy. The Poynter Institute, which is based in St. Petersburg, Florida, was founded in 1975 by Nelson Poynter, a newspaper publisher and philanthropist. PolitiFact was created in 2007 by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Tampa Bay Times and is now part of the Poynter Institute. PolitiFact is funded by grants, donations, and advertising revenue.
How can I support PolitiFact?
A6. There are several ways to support PolitiFact. The most direct way is to make a donation to the organization. Donations are tax deductible and help support PolitiFact’s work in fact-checking political claims. You can also support PolitiFact by sharing its fact-checks with others and by helping to spread the word about the organization’s work. Finally, you can also support PolitiFact by signing up for its newsletter or following the organization on social media.
Does PolitiFact have international fact-checking projects?
A10. Yes, PolitiFact has international fact-checking projects in several countries, including Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Australia. These projects are led by local journalists and are dedicated to fact-checking the political claims made by politicians and other public figures in their respective countries. The projects use the same Truth-O-Meter ratings as PolitiFact’s U.S. project, and the teams work together to share information and best practices. The international projects are supported by grants and donations, and are a key part of PolitiFact’s mission to promote transparency in the media.
What awards has PolitiFact won?
A9. PolitiFact has won numerous awards and accolades for its work in fact-checking political claims. In 2009, PolitiFact won the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting, and in 2010, it won a George Polk Award for Excellence in Journalism. PolitiFact has also been honored by the American Society of News Editors and the Society of Professional Journalists. PolitiFact’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and other major publications.
What is the Truth-O-Meter?
A7. The Truth-O-Meter is PolitiFact’s signature fact-checking tool. PolitiFact rates political claims on the Truth-O-Meter, which ranges from “True” for accurate claims that are well-sourced to “Pants on Fire” for false and outrageous claims. PolitiFact’s Truth-O-Meter ratings are based on the evidence presented and are intended to help the public easily evaluate the accuracy of political claims. The Truth-O-Meter has become a widely recognized shorthand for the accuracy of political claims, and PolitiFact has received numerous awards and accolades for its work.
What is the PunditFact?
A8. PunditFact is a spin-off of PolitiFact that was launched in 2013. It is dedicated to fact-checking the claims made by pundits, lobbyists, and interest groups in the media. The PunditFact team, which includes reporters and editors, investigates the claims and rates them on the same Truth-O-Meter. The ratings range from “True” for accurate claims that are well-sourced to “Pants on Fire” for false and outrageous claims. After the rating is assigned, the statement is published on PunditFact.com and shared with the media, so that the public can easily access the facts about political claims.
What is PolitiFact?
A1. PolitiFact is a non-partisan, fact-checking website created in 2007 by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Tampa Bay Times. It is part of the Poynter Institute, a non-profit school for journalism located in St. Petersburg, Florida. PolitiFact is dedicated to helping people find the truth in the often confusing and conflicting world of political information. In addition to fact-checking political claims from candidates and elected officials, PolitiFact also rates the accuracy of statements made by pundits, lobbyists, and interest groups. PolitiFact has become one of the most widely cited fact-checking websites in the world, and its Truth-O-Meter ratings have become a widely recognized shorthand for the accuracy of political claims. PolitiFact has received numerous awards and accolades for its work.
What is PolitiFact's mission?
A2. PolitiFact’s mission is to provide the public with accurate information on political issues and to promote transparency in the media. PolitiFact’s team of editors and reporters investigate political claims from politicians and other public figures, and rate them according to the accuracy of the claims. PolitiFact’s Truth-O-Meter ratings are based on the evidence presented, and range from “True” for claims that are accurate and well-sourced to “Pants on Fire” for claims that are false and outrageous. PolitiFact also provides analysis and context that can help readers better understand the complexities of politics. PolitiFact’s mission is to help people find the truth in a world of spin and misinformation.
How is PolitiFact funded?
A5. PolitiFact is funded by a combination of grants, donations, and advertising revenue. PolitiFact is a non-profit organization, so donations are tax deductible and help support the organization’s work. PolitiFact also receives grants from foundations, such as the Knight Foundation, the Democracy Fund, and the MacArthur Foundation. Finally, PolitiFact also generates revenue from advertising on its website and from sponsorship of special projects.