Tag Archive: PolitiFact

The battle to nudge the International Fact-Checking Network toward transparency and accountability

Bryan W. White August 7, 2023 0 Comments

As we have noted in past posts, Zebra Fact Check has moved to focus more on fact-checking accountability than on doing our own program of fact-checking. Of course this altered focus affords many opportunities to check facts. As it stands, there exists no entity dedicated to holding fact-checkers accountable. The International Fact-Checking Network advertises itself in that role, but that…
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Commentary

Accountability, IFCN Complaints, PolitiFact

Complaint about PolitiFact submitted to the International Fact-Checking Network, Aug. 7, 2023

Bryan W. White August 7, 2023 0 Comments

complaint to the international fact-checking network about PolitiFact

The title says it all, given that we’re posting a commentary article about this particular complaint.

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PolitiFact

PolitiFact ‘Mostly’ endorses Kamala Harris falsehood about Florida’s Black history standards (Updated)

Bryan W. White July 25, 2023 0 Comments

On July 24, 2023 PolitiFact published a supposed fact check of Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris claimed “(T)hey (Florida) decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefitted from slavery.” PolitiFact rated Harris’ claim “Mostly True” on its trademarked “Truth-O-Meter.” Doubtless DEI directors and Democrats will largely cheer the ruling. We’ll explain how PolitiFact botched the ruling in…
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Commentary, Zebra Fact Checks

PolitiFact

Correction request sent to PolitiFact, July 7, 2023

Bryan W. White July 7, 2023 0 Comments

Zebra Fact Check noticed a fine case of inconsistent methodology from the fact checkers at PolitiFact. As correction requests go, this one counts as ill-defined. We point out the inconsistency but do not suggest how PolitiFact might fix the problem, for the problem of inconsistency forms a veritable spider’s web of problems with PolitiFact’s fact-checking. In response to our email…
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PolitiFact

Complaint about PolitiFact submitted to the International Fact-Checking Network, Jan. 10, 2023

Bryan W. White January 11, 2023 0 Comments

After PolitiFact failed to respond to a correction request we sent on Dec. 20, 2022, Zebra Fact Check submitted a formal complaint to the International Fact-Checking Network on Jan. 10, 2023.

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IFCN Complaints, International Fact-Checking Network, PolitiFact

Correction request sent to PolitiFact, Dec. 20, 2022

Bryan W. White January 10, 2023 0 Comments

When PolitiFact Wisconsin perpetuated PolitiFact’s inconsistent approach to rating claims about the gender pay gap with a Dec. 16, 2022 fact check of Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Zebra Fact Check sent a correction request. As of this date (Jan. 10, 2023), we have noted no effort by PolitiFact or PolitiFact Wisconsin to address its inconsistency. PolitiFact acknowledged our request with its…
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correction request, PolitiFact

Is Donald Trump the least accurate politician PolitiFact has ever covered?

Bryan W. White December 8, 2022 0 Comments

Popular mainstream fact checker PolitiFact published an article on Nov. 14, 2022 flatly proclaiming Donald Trump counts as the least accurate politician it has ever covered. The claim creates a problem for PolitiFact, for an objective proof of “least accurate” presents an exceptionally tall order. If PolitFact lacks that proof then its article ends up expressing a derogatory opinion about…
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Commentary, Zebra Fact Checks

International Fact-Checking Network, PolitiFact

Complaint about PolitiFact submitted to the International Fact-Checking Network, Nov. 28, 2022

Bryan W. White November 29, 2022 0 Comments

When PolitiFact failed to respond to our correction/revision request by clarifying, correcting or revising its supposedly unbiased yet apparently unsupported claim that Donald Trump counts as the least accurate politician it has ever covered, Zebra Fact Check submitted a formal complaint to the International Fact-Checking Network.

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IFCN Complaints, International Fact-Checking Network, PolitiFact

Complaint about PolitiFact submitted to the International Fact-Checking Network, Nov. 21, 2022

Bryan W. White November 29, 2022 0 Comments

When PolitiFact took no corrective action in response to our November 12 revision/correction request respecting a PolitiFact Virginia fact check from Nov. 11, 2022, Zebra Fact Check submitted a formal complaint to the International Fact-Checking Network.

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IFCN Complaints, International Fact-Checking Network, PolitiFact

Correction/Revision request sent to PolitiFact, Nov. 16, 2022

Bryan W. White November 22, 2022 0 Comments

PolitiFact published an article on Nov. 14, 2022 bearing the title “Donald Trump, the least accurate politician we’ve ever covered, eyes another White House run.” The article later similarly claimed “Trump has the worst record of any politician fact-checked by PolitiFact.” Given that PolitiFact does not rate politicians using a randomly selected set of stories and uses subjective judgments to…
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correction requests, PolitiFact