New York — This collection of resources was assembled for the Ethics Town Hall session at ASBPE’S recent National Conference.
How to make fact-checking work even with a small staff
This appraisal by former CFO Publishing executive vice president Julia Homer addresses how to make fact-checking a workable proposition. Included: a five-step action plan that even thinly-staffed operations can activate.
API’s fact-checking program establishes red flags
American Press Institute recently launched an ambitious how-to-do-it fact-checking program. In this article, American Press Institute senior research manager Jane Elizabeth provides details; included: importance of establishing “red flags” to facilitate accuracy checks.
PR Newswire fact-checking program establishes red flags
For editors seeking to improve fact-checking procedures the PR Newswire for Journalists has posted a four-part series — Faster Fact-Checking for Journalists. Coverage addresses available tools including how to detect graphics manipulation, making sense of social media, crisis and public safety reporting, and verification, says Media Relations Manager Amanda Hicken.
Online News Association fact-checking code to be approved soon
Allowing a source to preview an article that includes quotes offered during a prior interview is a logical procedure at least two times is one recommendation proposed in an initial draft of the Online News Association’s ethics code set for approval in 2015. Access to the work in progress was provided to Ethics News Updates by Tom Kent, Associated Press standards editor and ONA project leader.
How one editor is developing a fact-checking course
B2B publishers should provide a fact-checking orientation course, says Gerri Berendzen, communication director, American Copy Editors Society. Recently assigned to develop such a course, Berendzen describes her progress during this exclusive interview.
RTDNA calls for adding context and indicating what’s left out
“A journalist’s obligation is to be accurate,” says Scott Libin, currently overseeing ethics code revision by the Radio Television Digital News Association. “Journalism requires verification, context and an indication of what your coverage omitted.” The draft of the code section devoted to truth and accuracy is instructive.
Vet the research before publishing it
Effective verification of data remains a critical ethical obligation for most B2B editors. In part I of his analysis, editorial and design consultant Robin Sherman points out that too many editors publish only what’s handed to them. “Journalists publish many stories based on bad data,” he says. “Poor methodology yields bad data.”
Don’t publish research unless it meets minimal methodological standards
Six fundamental research measures must be considered during the research vetting process, says Robin Sherman in Part II of his analysis written for Ethics News Updates. Editors must always publish the proper information about these statistical measures, and if the stats don’t measure up, don’t publish the data. Here’s how to determine whether research meets minimal methodological standards.
BBC requires extensive photo verification
The extent required to verify quality of photos and videos is detailed in a report issued by the BBC World Service organization. Most impressive is the depth offered by four accuracy checklists. For instance, BBC editors are prepared to take nine steps to verify illustrations.
Fact-checking challenges examined
ASBPE Ethics Committee chairman Howard Rauch offers excerpts from interviews he conducted that address fact-checking challenges. Included are comments by Sid Holt, chief executive, American Society of Magazine Editors, Liz Johnstone, managing editor, D Magazine, and Randy B. Hecht, president, Aphra Communications.
Ethicist Steve Buttry offers accuracy checklist
This discussion by noted ethicist Steve Buttry includes a copy of his recommended accuracy checklist. The accompanying blog finds Buttry making a case for journalism professors to spend time during their courses reviewing accuracy checklist principles.
Red flags that might require verification
ACES Communication Director Gerri Berendzen cites 10 examples of “red flag” factors that might require verification. This is the first of two reports based on fact-checking workshops presented during the 2015 American Copy Editors Society annual conference.
NPR has a 12-point checklist
American Press Institute’s senior research manager, Jane Elizabeth, recommends NPR’s 12-point accuracy checklist during a fact-checking session at the 2015 American Copy Editors Society annual conference.
Process analyzes whether more fact-checking increases pressure on editors’ time
Concern that more fact-checking hikes time pressure on editors cannot be confirmed unless a performance analysis is applied. A six-point process to facilitate such analysis was described during ASBPE’s recent virtual roundtable focusing on current ethical issues.
Concern yourself more with accuracy than with rushing your work, says editorial service provider
Aphra Communications president Randy Hecht urges freelancers and editors to value one another “less for velocity in a rush through editorial review and more mutual protection against errors, omissions, or lesser lapses in our work before it’s published instead of negotiating which way the fingers will point after the fact.”
30 resources you can use to verify social media posts
Tin Eye, FourMatch, Google plus a program that automatically identifies fake image on Twitter are among the 30 resources available to help editors verify social media posts. Find out more about these and other tools in this review of the Verification Junkie and Journalist’s Resource Web sites.
Steve Buttry’s fact-checking tips and resource list still timely
Posted by noted ethicist Steve Buttry in 2013, this document is just as timely now. Packed with timely tips plus a huge section of reference material, this information is worth adding to your present how-to, fact-checking file.
Verify research, use accuracy checklist and confirm validity of claims
Written at the request of the Content Marketing Institute, this article by ASBPE ethics chair Howard Rauch addresses three key considerations for CMI members and ASBPE members seeking to strengthen their fact-checking procedures:
Verify research; use accuracy checklists; confirm accuracy of claims.