Zebra Fact Check found PolitiFact had announced an “update” to an article where it had changed existing material as well as adding new material, all without following its own statement of principles for doing an update. Accordingly, we sent PolitiFact an email message to truthometer@politifact.com asking PolitiFact to follow its policy regarding changes to its story.
Dear Truth-O-Meter,
I appreciate you adding a “Corrections and updates” tag to the Ted Cruz item written by Madison Czopek.
The changed article is marked within the text as updated May 26, 2022. But PolitiFact’s statement of principles says updates are done either parenthetically or at the end of the item. This “update” did neither.
Updates – From time to time, we add additional information to stories and fact-checks after they’ve published, not as a correction but as a service to readers. Examples include a response from the speaker we received after publication (that did not change the conclusion of the report), or breaking news after publication that is relevant to the check. Updates can be made parenthetically within the text with a date, or at the end of the report. Updated fact-checks receive a tag of “Corrections and updates.”
If the changes are an update, then please fix the item to follow PolitiFact’s stated procedures. If the item is something other than an update, then please correctly label it and follow PolitiFact’s prescribed means for handling that type of change.
Thanks!