fact checker

A fact checker is person whose job consists in checking factual assertions made in news copy to determine whether they are correct. This job requires general knowledge but more importantly it requires the ability to conduct research quickly and properly. The resources and time necessary for fact-checking are considerable. Therefore this work cannot be applied to copy filed on a daily basis. For this reason, fact-checking is not commonly done at most newspapers, where reporters' ability to correct and verify their own information in a timely manner is chief among their qualifications. News sources that publish on a weekly, monthly or less frequent basis are more likely to employ fact-checkers than are daily newspapers. Fact-checking, officially known as "research" at most major publications, is most important for those publishing copy written by authors who are not trained reporters as these writers are more likely to make professional, ethical or merely factual mistakes. The methods employed in fact-checking vary from publication to publication. Some have neither the staff nor the budget necessary to check every claim in a given article. Others will attempt to do just that and go as far as to contact sources and authors in order to review the content of their statements contained in the article. Fact-checking is also almost unique to American publicaitons. British and European magazines and newspapers may have editors tasked specifically with correcting spelling and perfoming superficial verification but do not employ fact-checkers as such. Among the benefits of printingly only checked copy is that this can avert serious and somtimes costly problems, such as lawsuits, and discreditation. As a rule, fact-checkers may not rely on wikipedia to confirm the content of news copy.

Fact Checker

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