Resource pages

Complaint to the International Fact-Checking Network about PolitiFact, May 19, 2020

Bryan W. White May 26, 2020 0 Comments

On May 19, 2020, Zebra Fact Check submitted a formal complaint about PolitiFact to the International Fact-Checking Network. The complaint alleges that a PolitiFact explainer article on the Gen. Michael Flynn prosecution reversal reported self-contradictory information and presented readers with a completely one-sided view of the Justice Department’s decision. The complaint also notes PolitiFact failed to fix the described problems…
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Resource pages

PolitiFact

Correction request sent to PolitiFact, May 11, 2020

Bryan W. White May 24, 2020 0 Comments

On May 11, 2020 Zebra Fact Check sent PolitiFact a correction request. The message addressed an apparent internal contradiction in PolitiFact’s reporting as well as the extreme one-sidedness of its May 8, 2020 explainer article on decision by the Department of Justice to drop its prosecution of Gen. Michael Flynn on a false statements charge. As of May 23, 2020…
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PolitiFact

Correction request sent to PolitiFact, May 18, 2020

Bryan W. White May 21, 2020 0 Comments

PolitiFact Pennsylvania published a fact check on May 14, 2020 and used information published after May 10, 2020 to justify a “False” rating it issued to a statement published on May 9, 2020. PolitiFact’s statement of principles assures readers it judges political claims based on information available when the claim was made. Zebra Fact Check sent notice to PolitiFact about…
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Resource pages

PolitiFact Pennsylvania

Complaint to the International Fact-Checking Network about PolitiFact, May 20, 2020

Bryan W. White May 20, 2020 0 Comments

When we could not see any attempt from PolitiFact to fix a fact check containing three instances of statements taken out of context, we submitted the case to the International Fact-Checking Network as an example of PolitiFact failing to uphold its commitment to fact check fairly.

Resource pages

IFCN Complaints, PolitiFact Health Check

Email outreach/correction request to PolitiFact, March 23-April 17, 2020

Bryan W. White May 20, 2020 0 Comments

When PolitiFact Health Check published a fact check that took President Trump out of context at least three separate times in the service of a misleading narrative, we asked PolitiFact to fix the problem. PolitiFact has apparently made no move to fix its fact check or reply to our critique. Correction May 21, 2020: Tweaked the title to read “March…
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Resource pages

PolitiFact Health Check

Correction request submitted to PolitiFact, April 20, 2020

Bryan W. White May 19, 2020 0 Comments

PolitiFact, and particularly PolitiFact North Carolina, have done a poor job reporting the issue of legal protections for persons with pre-existing conditions seeking health insurance. A fact check from PolitiFact North Carolina made it sound like repeal of the Affordable Care Act could end “coverage” for people with pre-existing conditions. In fact, it would have ended the ACA’s particular protections…
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PolitiFact

Complaint to the International Fact-Checking Network about Science Feedback, Oct. 7, 2019

Bryan W. White May 11, 2020 0 Comments

If the International Fact-Checking Network had a transparent complaint system, we could use it instead of memory to confirm the complaint was sent on Oct. 7, 2019. We composed the complaint document on Oct. 7, 2019. It was likely sent the same day or very soon after.

Resource pages

Science Feedback

Email Complaint to the International Fact-Checking Network about PolitiFact, March 10, 2020

Bryan W. White March 14, 2020 0 Comments

After reporting PolitiFact Wisconsin errors to PolitiFact without seeing any correction, Zebra Fact Check sent a formal complaint to the International Fact-Checking Network

Resource pages

International Fact-Checking Network

Email Outreach to IFCN Director Baybars Orsek, Oct. 6, 2019

Bryan W. White March 11, 2020 0 Comments

After Zebra Fact Check received a message from the International Fact-Checking Network’s outside assessor, Michael Wagner, describing the flawed reasoning he used to dismiss our complaints to the IFCN about PolitiFact, we contacted IFCN Director Baybars Orsek to ask for confirmation that what Wagner sent us was the same reasoning he sent to the IFCN. This email exchange also marks…
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Interviews, Resource pages

the Poynter stonewall

Email Outreach to Neil Brown, Baybars Orsek and the International Fact-Checking Network, Jan. 2, 2020

Bryan W. White March 11, 2020 0 Comments

In January 2020 we renewed our efforts to obtain a reply from the International Fact-Checking Network or the Poynter Institute addressing various problems with the IFCN’s efforts to ensure fact checker accountability. We hoped inquiring after the various holidays might find IFCN or Poynter officials less busy and more likely to respond. We obtained automated replies from Poynter Institute President…
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Resource pages

the Poynter stonewall