Just the Facts: What is “Fact Checking” and Why is it Growing?

Journalism, at its best, is a search for truth. And identifying the truth involves getting the facts correct. But a movement known as “Fact Checking” is growing globally and takes what some consider standard journalism practice to new heights. Following the release of a new report on fact checking, we spoke with Jane Elizabeth from the American Press Institute about the findings and to learn more about the practice. She provides an overview in this edition of CONTEXT.

The full report can be found here:
http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/fact-checking-project/fact-checking-research/u-s-politics-adapts-media-scrutiny/

Guests
Jane Elizabeth is Senior Research Project Manager for the American Press Institute. She leads the project to improve and expand political fact-checking/accountability journalism. She is the Washington Post’s former deputy local editor, and teaches advanced journalism as a member of the adjunct faculty at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Jane’s work at five U.S. newspapers has focused largely on politics, regional news and education. She was education editor at The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and a senior editor at The Virginian-Pilot where she launched and directed the newsroom’s first digital news team. Jane also managed the American Press Institute’s summit on sponsored content in September 2013. She holds a master’s degree in mass communications from Virginia Commonwealth University.