Accuracy is the bedrock of journalism. And yet, journalists are often fighting against the clock to break stories and get news out in a timely manner. This time constraint often means that accuracy in media isn’t always given the attention it should get.
Since more digital publishers and journalists are embracing sharing their stories in newsletters, it’s especially important to make sure that information published in newsletters is also reported responsibly and accurately.
This is where fact-checking comes in. After the reporter files a story, it’s often sent to the editor and fact-checker to make sure that all the details check out. But, fact-checking isn’t always easy for independent news outlets with fewer resources, especially as there are fewer and fewer fact-checkers employed in newsrooms.
Juan Luis Font, the publisher of Guate.News, a digital outlet serving the Guatemalan community in the United States, says that the biggest barrier to fact-checking in journalism is time and the lack of human resources. “You’re doing 110 things a day,” says Font.
For busy and overworked journalists sending newsletters or publishing news stories, here’s an overview of fact-checking principles and ethical considerations to keep in mind.
What is fact-checking in journalism?
Fact-checking in journalism is the process of making sure that all information in a story can be verified. This often means doing research with the original source and secondary sources. This includes talking to experts who can confirm and support the information.
How to fact-check a story
Font says that if he’s unsure about a fact, he will first go to the reporter to discuss the issue and ask for a new source. If he still has doubts, he’ll look for a third source to try and confirm the information himself and make sure that the facts are “absolutely sustainable.”
Once the facts have been verified, it’s often up to the editor to make sure that they have the right context to be understood correctly. For example, if a source said something that is misleading, it’s the responsibility of the reporter and fact-checker to include additional information to make sure the reader understands what is true.
For journalists who are reporting on public meetings, such as city council meetings or court cases, Carlos Martins, a Toronto-based lawyer specializing in media law, recommends keeping the reporting as close to what was said as possible.
“If you can focus on what was said directly in most council meetings or court documents, there’s a lot more protection given to publishers”
– Carlos Martins, media law specialized lawyer
Why accuracy in media newsletters matters
Whether the news is being published on a website or sent out in a newsletter, journalists still have the same responsibility to make sure their reporting is accurate. While a newsletter might seem less public since you’re sending it directly to readers’ inboxes, it’s always a good idea to make sure the information has been fact-checked if you’re publishing the same stories on your website or social media.
Fact-checking is also important from a liability standpoint. If you’re reporting on allegations against a person or a corporation, you might want to take additional steps to protect yourself. Accuracy in media is crucial in such cases.
Martins says that if a journalist ends up facing a defamation lawsuit, the courts will look at whether the story was fact-checked to help determine whether the reporter has done their job responsibly. He recommends that journalists always keep a record of their fact-checking efforts, such as recordings of any conversations.
One of his most important tips for journalists publishing allegations against a person or a corporation is going directly to the target of the allegations to get their version of events.
“You don’t have to provide a copy of the story but they should have a fairly good idea of what it is that is going to be said about them, so they can provide a fair response.”
– Carlos Martins, media law specialized lawyer
Even if there aren’t allegations against someone, it can still be a good idea to go back to a source for more information. Font said that he sometimes goes back to a source if they’ve said something in an interview that could be liability to the publication if not reported accurately or in context.
“I just want them to be sure that not only [do] I have the recording of them, but that they said this,” says Font. He then gives the source the opportunity to add additional context to their words.
Ensuring media accuracy in journalism
Font says that his primary concern regarding his outlet’s journalism is making sure that Guate.News is the best source of information for his community so that they can trust the reporting.
Since Guate.News serves a community where the audience may have different legal statuses, it’s especially important to get all the facts right. For example, if Guate.News is providing resources on which states offer driver’s licenses without proof of U.S. citizenship or residency, Font needs to be sure he’s providing accurate information.
Fact-checking journalism resources
With the increasing spread of misinformation, there’s been a growth in fact-checking resources that writers and editors can turn to.
- Wire services such as AP News and Reuters publish fact checks on common misinformation.
- There are also independent organizations that fact-check on different topics, such as FactCheck.org, which focuses on U.S. politics, and Media Bias/Fact Check, which rates news outlets on their reliability and political bias.
- And, of course, it never hurts to brush up on the defenses to libel in Canada and the United States.
If journalists are concerned about a potential legal liability, they can consult a media lawyer — though the costs can be prohibitive. “The cheapest way to reach out to a media lawyer is before you write the story,” says Martins.
A media lawyer can quickly give you tips or recommendations before you start reporting a story that might have ethical concerns. “Once you get a complaint from a potential plaintiff, then it becomes a much more expensive process,” he says.
Read more 📖 “Email newsletters 101: A complete guide for independent publishers and journalists” to find out how to craft effective email newsletters that boost audience engagement and revenue growth.
