Fact Checking Essay

Fact checking is an essential part of journalism. A fact checker authenticates information found in media reports and published materials. Specific skills are needed to become a fact checker such as research and analytic skills, attention to detail, and decent reading comprehension. Being accurate and meticulous is also critical for fact checking. Study.com notes that writing skills, communication skills, and interviewing skills are also imperative.

According to Brian Klems, a contributor to writers digest, “writers should be taught to write what they don’t know”. There are multiple ways to thoroughly research a topic. One should do a targeted Internet search, read as much about the subject as possible, and use different sources. Another

way to conduct exceptional research is to use an expert as a source so that the information is credible. According to Katrina Manning analytical thinking is used, “to break down a series of complex bits of information” in order to develop a conclusion. One way to build your analytical skills is to practice mathematics, such as statistics because requires logic and analysis.
The time spent on fact checking should be determined based on the length and content of the piece.

The work should be as truthful as possible; therefore the fact checker should investigate every claim.

The main goal of fact checking is to ensure that truthful information is being provided to the public. Political stories especially need to be fact checked. Politicians have a significant say in how things work and therefore need to be truthful so that citizens know who to vote for. For example, if a candidate for presidency is being untruthful, journalists need to expose their dishonesty for the greater good of the public.

FactCheck.org’s analysis was the most helpful to the audience because it immediately states what is true and what is false. This organization investigated Mitt Romney’s television advertisement stating that the Obama administration was planning to “gut welfare reform by dropping work requirements” (McBride 76). FactCheck.org researched the plan and was able to negate Romney’s claims. FactCheck.org disproved Romney’s claims while the other organizations found blame both from Romney and Obama. For example, The Washington Post Fact Checker “calls welfare reform a ‘complex issue’ and says neither campaign ‘necessarily conducts itself with glory’” (McBride 77). However, the Washington Post was the only organization that looked into Obama’s counterclaim that Romney had once supported similar

legislation.
The third organization that checked facts was PolitiFact. PolitiFact thoroughly described Romney’s advertisement and explained Obama’s welfare plan. The organization did not check Obama’s counterclaim. Their conclusion was that Romney’s advertisement was, “not accurate, and it inflames old resentments about able-bodied adults sitting around collecting public assistance” (McBride 77).
Fact checking is crucial in providing the public with the truth. As evident, each organization carefully investigated the claims of both presidential candidates and came to similar conclusions. Although each fact checker used a different method of fact checking, all three organizations disproved Romney’s claims regarding Obama’s welfare plan. By having superb research skills, the fact checkers were able to provide the audience with the truth. In journalism, it is important to write with accuracy because the public deserves nothing less than the facts.