Initial Rough Draft Migrated from Google Docs

This guide assists fact-checkers in reviewing the briefings on vBriefings.org. The goal is to ensure that each briefing is accurate, well-sourced, and aligned with our commitment to high standards of integrity. Use this guide to verify every aspect of the briefings and provide detailed feedback where necessary.

Read This First

• Formatting in the fact-checking collaboration document will differ from the formatting of the briefing on the live site. For example, paragraphs on the website appear to be bulleted, but may not appear so in the collaboration document. Familiarize yourself with the formatting on the live site and how that relates to the formatting in the collaboration document.
• Do not enter the return key in the footnotes section. This will cause any subsequent footnotes to be renumbered and no longer match the footnote numbers above that section.
• There will be some back-and-forth communication between the editor and the fact checker during the fact-checking process. The fact checking for a briefing will be complete when both parties agree it is complete.

 Reviewing the Summary Section

• Citations in the Summary:
  • The summary section of a briefing does not require citations as it summarizes key points covered later in the briefing.
  • However, ensure that the summary accurately reflects the information provided in the subsequent, fully cited sections.
• Accuracy and Consistency:
  • Verify that the summary does not introduce new information that isn’t supported by the detailed content later in the briefing.
  • Ensure that the summary is consistent with the evidence and sources presented in the document’s body. .
  • Check that the summary does not exaggerate or misinterpret the conclusions drawn from the cited content.
• Check the Summary Last:
  • Review the summary only after thoroughly fact-checking the rest of the briefing to ensure familiarity with the content.
  • This will help confirm that the summary is an accurate reflection of the fully verified material.
• Questions to Consider:
  • Does the summary accurately reflect the content provided in the briefing?
  • Are all statements in the summary supported by information presented and cited in the detailed sections?
  • Is there any new information in the summary that lacks support in the rest of the briefing?

Check for Proper Citations

• Verify that all factual statements are properly cited.
  • Ensure that any statistic, claim, or piece of information that is not common knowledge has a clear and accessible citation.
  • Note any information that appears unsubstantiated and suggest revisions if necessary.
• Ensure citations are appropriately formatted.
  • Confirm that source links are functional, current, and lead directly to the specific information referenced.
• Questions to Consider:

• Is there any information that appears to lack citation?
• Are citations present where needed, especially for data, statistics, or specific claims?

Assess the Reliability of Sources

• Evaluate the quality of each cited source.
  • Prefer reputable sources such as academic journals, established news outlets, government reports, or expert organizations.
  • Be cautious of sources that have a reputation for bias, sensationalism, or a lack of peer review.
• Identify if better sources are available.
  • If a cited source is not the most reliable or up-to-date, suggest a higher-quality alternative.
  • Prioritize sources that are independent, peer-reviewed, and credible.
• Questions to Consider:
  • Is the source known to be reliable and unbiased?
  • Could a better source be used to support the same information?

Analyze Overall Conclusions and Claims

• Check if conclusions are too broad or overgeneralized.
  • Ensure that the evidence presented directly supports the conclusions drawn.
  • Watch for cherry-picking, where only evidence that supports a specific narrative is included while ignoring contradictory information.
• Assess whether the data supports the conclusions.
  • Confirm that interpretations of sources are reasonable and not exaggerated.
• Questions to Consider:
  • Are the conclusions consistent with the evidence provided?
  • Is there any sign of cherry-picking or selective use of data?

Ensure Accurate Representation of Sources

• Verify that sources are represented factually.
  • Confirm that data, studies, or statements are portrayed accurately and in the proper context.
  • Avoid any misinterpretation or manipulation of information to fit a particular narrative.
• Fact-check paraphrasing.
  • Ensure that paraphrased content preserves the original meaning without distortion.
• Questions to Consider:
  • Is the source accurately represented?
  • Does the content stay true to the original meaning of the source?

Check the Accuracy of Quotes

• Ensure quotes are exact and properly attributed.
  • Confirm that all direct quotes match the original source verbatim, but minor corrections to spelling and grammar are allowed if they do not alter the original meaning.
• Verify the authenticity of the quote.
  • It is unnecessary to fact-check the information within the quotation itself; however, it is crucial to confirm that the person being quoted actually made the statement.
• Preserve the context of the quote.
  • Make sure that quotes are not taken out of context or presented misleadingly.
• Questions to Consider:
  • Is the quote accurately attributed to the correct person?
  • Has the quote been preserved in meaning if corrections were made for grammar and/or spelling?
  • Is the context of the quote accurately represented?

Distinguish Opinions from Facts

• Author’s opinions do not need to be fact-checked but it should be clear that an opinion is being expressed.
  • Ensure that any opinions or subjective interpretations are implicitly or explicitly identified as such.
  • Opinions should be based on, or at least reasonably supported by, the information provided in the briefing.
• Check for alignment with supporting content.
  • Verify that opinions expressed are not misleading and are  grounded in the data, research, or sources cited within the briefing.
  • Ensure that opinions do not contradict the evidence presented unless explicitly acknowledged as a personal perspective.
• Questions to Consider:
  • Are opinions reasonably supported by the information provided in the briefing?
  • Is it clear to the reader when the author is expressing an opinion versus stating a fact?

Verify Information in Hard-to-Access Citations

• Books and Printed Sources:
  • If a citation references a book and the author has not provided proof of the text, use tools like Amazon’s “Search Inside” feature, Google Books, or any library resources you may have available to verify the information.
  • If the information cannot be found through these resources, request documentation from the author or seek another reputable source to confirm the data.
• Pay Walled Articles or Studies:
  • If a citation refers to information that is behind a paywall, first check to see if the information is in the public summary. If not, attempt to locate the information on other platforms. Sometimes a study may be freely available on one site but pay walled on another.
  • Leverage any academic or institutional credentials you may have to access pay walled content.
  • If you still cannot access the information, request documentation from the author or identify an alternative, freely accessible source.
• Dead or Inaccessible Links:
  • If a link provided in a citation is dead, first verify that it’s not because of a minor error (such as a typo or outdated URL). Try searching for the article or resource using the title or keywords.
  • If you cannot correct the link, attempt to find another source that provides the same information.
  • If you still cannot access the information or find another source, reach out to the author for documentation or guidance.

Completeness

• Every fact needs to be checked.
  • The editor may have introduced intentional errors to help verify the completeness of the fact checking.

Maintain Objectivity

• Focus on the facts, not opinions or biases.
  • Ensure the briefing is fact-based and free from subjective language or unfounded assumptions.
  • Be vigilant about any biases that may affect how information is presented.
• Questions to Consider:
  • Is the tone of the briefing objective and neutral?
  • Are there any signs of bias in the language used?

Submission and Reporting

• Document your findings clearly and concisely.
  • Reporting is done through comments in Google Doc, Microsoft Word, or other platforms.
  • Provide specific feedback on sections that need revisions, clarifications, or additional citations.
  • For any hard-to-find citations (discussed above), document how you verified the information and provide supporting screenshots or photos as necessary.
  • Highlight any areas that require correction.
  • Note any discrepancies between the summary and the fully cited sections.
  • Highlight areas where the summary may need revisions to better align with the information presented in the briefing.

Supplemental Notes

Fact checker qualifications

• Proficiency in English
• A four-year degree in journalism, English, writing, literature or related field, 
• OR
• A four-year degree in any subject and training in fact-checking

Completing the Poynter Hands On Fact-Checking course meets the requirements for the special training in fact-checking.