Zebra Fact Check detected a false statement and missing context in an Oct. 3, 2022 PolitiFact fact check of a claim by Sen. Rick Scott (R, Fla.). Accordingly, we sent a correction request to PolitiFact on Oct. 5, 2022. PolitiFact sent its standard acknowledgment email in response.
Dear Truth-O-Meter,
Your “Mostly False” rating of a claim from Rick Scott has among its “If your time is short” items the following:
There is nothing on websites for Federal Emergency Management Association or the federal Disaster Assistance Improvement Program about race or equity, just information about where Floridians affected by Hurricane Ian can find information about how to receive federal aid.
The text of the fact check repeats the claim:
There is nothing on websites for FEMA or the federal Disaster Assistance Improvement Program about race or equity, just information about where Floridians affected by Hurricane Ian can find information about how to receive federal aid.
That language will tend to convey to your readers the false impression that the FEMA website does not mention equity. In fact, under the Biden administration FEMA has installed “Equity” as a top priority in emergency management and that decision is reflected on the FEMA website.
Your fact check should probably inform your readers about that fact instead of misleading them.
Here’s a quotation from fema.gov that might interest readers, for example:
Prioritizing casework and evaluation for direct housing eligibility for vulnerable populations to include those with access and functional needs or those who have a primary language other than English.
The FEMA language above appears to support the charge that FEMA would get direct housing assistance more quickly to “vulnerable populations.” That language could justify preferential treatment for groups based on race. Is it best to keep that hidden from your readers?
Thanks!
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Thanks,
PolitiFact team