Hempfield School Libraries: Fact Checker Sources: Fact Checker

Fact Checking Websites

Interactive Media Bias Chart
Information about Media Bias Chart https://youtu.be/3PKTJ00m0A4
FactCheck.org
Nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.
PolitiFact.com
PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics. PolitiFact is run by editors and reporters from the Tampa Bay Times, an independent newspaper in Florida, as is PunditFact, a site devoted to fact-checking pundits. The PolitiFact state sites are run by news organizations that have partnered with the Times.
Snopes
"What he began in 1995 as an expression of his interest in researching urban legends has since grown into what is widely regarded by folklorists, journalists, and laypersons alike as one of the World Wide Web's essential resources. Snopes.com is routinely included in annual "Best of the Web" lists and has been the recipient of two Webby awards".
AllSides
"We expose people to information and ideas from all sides of the political spectrum so they can better understand the world — and each other. Our balanced news coverage, media bias ratings, civil dialogue opportunities, and technology platform are available for everyone and can be integrated by schools, nonprofits, media companies, and more".
Media Matters
"Media Matters for America is a web-based, not-for-profit, 501 (c)(3) progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media".
ProPublica
"ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism with moral force. We dig deep into important issues, shining a light on abuses of power and betrayals of public trust — and we stick with those issues as long as it takes to hold power to account".
NewsBusters
"NewsBusters, a project of the Media Research Center (MRC), America’s leading media watchdog in documenting, exposing and neutralizing liberal media bias"
Media Bias/FactCheck
"We are the most comprehensive media bias resource on the internet. There are currently 2900+ media sources listed in our database and growing every day. Don’t be fooled by Fake News sources. Use the search feature above (Header) to check the bias of any source. Use name or url"
The Sunlight Foundation
"The Sunlight Foundation is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that uses civic technologies, open data, policy analysis and journalism to make our government and politics more accountable and transparent to all".

Navigating Digital Information - John Green's crash course on news bias

How to Spot Fake News - FactCheck.org

5 Criteria for Evaluating Information

News/Media Literacy Checklist

Authority: Who made this?

Consider the source. Who created the message or article?
Check the author. Another tell-tale sign of a fake story is often the byline. Who are they?
1. Check About and About me pages: Don’t believe everything they say about themselves.
2. Website: Is the website (which has posted it) reputable?
3. Interrogate urls: do a little investigating – fake sites look like a valid URL
Think outside the reliability box: Don’t rely on traditional ideas of what is and isn’t reliable.
What exactly are you reading?: Identify what type of writing you are reading.

Bias (Purpose): Why was this made?

Read beyond the headline: Who is the message intended for? (audience, demographic)
Do you suspect bias?: Is there media bias or personal bias from the author?
What purpose is evident?: examine financial contributions of sources
Differentiate: between verifiable facts and stated opinions.
Suspect the sensational
Check your own biases - Are you paying more attention to what confirms your own beliefs?
Is this some kind of joke? Is this supposed to be Satire or Humor?

Accuracy (Reliability): How was this made? What is missing?

What’s the support?: Where can you go to locate more accurate information?
Code: check for code words and euphemisms. Reread with real words in their place
Consult the experts. - Always cross check with other reputable sources.
What’s Missing?: Pay attention to what is AND isn't said.
Is it Believable?: Does this (posting) seem believable on a basic level?
Go back to the source: When an article mentions a study, if you can, go directly to the sourc.
Triangulate: Try to verify the information in multiple sources, including traditional media and library databases.

Relevancy: Where do I go from here?

1. Read entire piece: After reading, write a real headline that summarizes article for yourself

2. Use a little energy: Have you done your due diligence in validating the information.

3. Stop before you forward (or use)!

4. Be suspicious of pictures!: Google reverse image search.

Currency: When was this made?

Check the date.
Put everything in context. Historical. Regional. Context matters.
Go back to the story again (and again): Breaking news will continue to break.