Faster Fact Checking, Part 1: Tools for Journalists Reporting Breaking News
Which is more important: Getting the news out first or getting it right?
With the ability to post anything on social media at any time, our news cycle – previously hastened by online news sites and 24-hour cable news – has become instantaneous.
On the one hand, we now have the ability to track news as it happens, often from citizen journalists who are tweeting and recording on the scene. However, that also adds pressure on the media to report news more quickly than before.
As we’ve repeatedly seen, this can lead to mistakes — sometimes with serious consequences.
In a recent post, we looked at the speed vs. accuracy debate and how journalists are adapting to the new news cycle. We highlighted a few resources for reporters in that post, such as Josh Stearns’ Verification Junkie Tumblr and HootSuite’s white paper 3 Ways Social Media Command Centers Improve Newsrooms.
But with so many tools out there, it’s a subject worth returning to. So once a week over the next month, we’ll cover different resources to aid in faster reporting.
This week, we feature three tools that help the media quickly sift through statistics.
1. Full Fact
Organizations, government, and media are collecting and reporting on so much data, that it can take hours to sort through and find what you need for an article. For UK media, Full Fact helps cut search time.
As an independent, non-partisan non-profit, Full Fact’s only concern is that the claims being made by organizations and the media are correct. It examines the data being cited to the public and looks at the reliability of those numbers. Was the data properly compiled? Is there a bias underlying the statistics? Was other data neglected that would show a more balanced reality?
For instance, in December 2013, the House of Commons’ Economic Secretary to the Treasury said, “Last year, UK take-home pay was the highest in the G7 and the third highest in the OECD.” Full Fact dug into this data and found that the referenced statistic was for the ‘net income after taxes’ of single people with no children. However, knowing that most people in the UK are married and have children, Full Fact compared UK’s take-home pay of married couples and discovered that the UK actually comes in eighth.
Full Fact’s fact check “Do Brits take home the most pay?“ demonstrated that the original claim was an over-simplification of the data and that the economic reality is not so rosy.
In addition to publishing fact checks, Full Fact also has compiled the Full Fact Finder. Finder is a free, online guide that directs users to the best sources of data in five core topic areas: Economy, Crime and the Law, Health, Immigration, and Education.
Its Making Sense of Statistics guide also reviews the right questions to ask and mistakes to avoid when analyzing data for a news story.
2. Journalist’s Resource
On the other side of the Atlantic is the Journalist’s Resource, based out of Harvard’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy.
Named a “Best Free Reference Web Site 2013” by the American Library Association, Journalist’s Resource explains its goal: “We try to serve as a helpful guide and interpreter — think of us a friend who does close reading and translation of statistics and jargon. While we can’t provide access to the full text of every study, we try to provide at least a point of entry and some key, useful points.”
Journalist’s Resource searches studies and credible online sources and then provides a recap of the findings as well as tips for media coverage. For example, its guide Importance of a museum visit: Assessing arts education and institutions reviewed a U.S. National Endowment for the Arts study about the number of Americans who attended at least one arts event in 2012.
Although that particular NEA study didn’t examine causes for a decline in attendance, Journalist’s Resource found an earlier NEA publication that connected the decline in arts education with the decline in participation as adults. For media interested in covering this topic, it also provided summaries and links to three other relevant studies and articles.
The Journalist’s Resource database includes studies in six key areas (government, politics, economics, society and culture, environment, and international) with eight subtopics for each area.
2. Data Journalism Handbook
One of the most comprehensive guides to using data is the Data Journalism Handbook.
Freely available under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license, the handbook’s six chapters cover how data journalism can be implemented in the newsroom; how to get, understand, and deliver data; and includes more than 15 data journalism case studies.
Here are a few posts to start with:
- A Five Minute Field Guide to Getting Data
- Become Data Literate in 3 Simple Steps
- Data Journalists Discuss Their Tools of Choice
- Using and Sharing Data: the Black Letter, Fine Print, and Reality
- Start With the Data, Finish With a Story
With new news continually popping into readers’ inboxes, social media streams, and mobile apps, the inclusion of data in journalism has the potential to capture more reader attention and make a more memorable impact.
As Mirko Lorenz of Deutsche Welle writes in the handbook’s introduction: “Gathering, filtering and visualizing what is happening beyond what the eye can see has a growing value. The orange juice you drink in the morning, the coffee you brew — in today’s global economy there are invisible connections between these products, other people and you. The language of this network is data: little points of information that are often not relevant in a single instance, but massively important when viewed from the right angle.”
Ready to move on? Read Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 of this series.
Amanda Hicken is a former media relations manager at PR Newswire. Follow her @ADHicken.
Hi there to all, for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It carries pleasant stuff.
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post, I have got much clear idea regarding from this post
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really happy to read everthing at one place
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post, I have got much clear idea regarding from this post
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really happy to read everthing at one place
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
very informative articles or reviews at this time.
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
very informative articles or reviews at this time.
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
very informative articles or reviews at this time.
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
Great information shared.. really enjoyed reading this post thank you author for sharing this post .. appreciated
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
very informative articles or reviews at this time.
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Many thanks for providing these details.
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really happy to read everthing at one place
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
I very delighted to find this internet site on bing, just what I was searching for as well saved to fav
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
Hi there to all, for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It carries pleasant stuff.
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
I very delighted to find this internet site on bing, just what I was searching for as well saved to fav
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
Hi there to all, for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It carries pleasant stuff.
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
I very delighted to find this internet site on bing, just what I was searching for as well saved to fav
very informative articles or reviews at this time.
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!
I very delighted to find this internet site on bing, just what I was searching for as well saved to fav
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
I am truly thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this fantastic piece of writing at at this place.
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Many thanks for providing these details.
I’m often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
Great information shared.. really enjoyed reading this post thank you author for sharing this post .. appreciated
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
very informative articles or reviews at this time.
Hi there to all, for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It carries pleasant stuff.
Hi there to all, for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It carries pleasant stuff.
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Many thanks for providing these details.
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!
naturally like your web site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come again again.
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post, I have got much clear idea regarding from this post
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
Great information shared.. really enjoyed reading this post thank you author for sharing this post .. appreciated
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
There is definately a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you made
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read a single thing like that before. So great to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Many thanks for providing these details.
very informative articles or reviews at this time.
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
I truly appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will
Awesome! Its genuinely remarkable post, I have got much clear idea regarding from this post
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.
I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
Hi there to all, for the reason that I am genuinely keen of reading this website’s post to be updated on a regular basis. It carries pleasant stuff.
For the reason that the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
Great information shared.. really enjoyed reading this post thank you author for sharing this post .. appreciated
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really happy to read everthing at one place
I do not even understand how I ended up here, but I assumed this publish used to be great
I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
This was beautiful Admin. Thank you for your reflections.
This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great post on our site. Keep up the great writing
Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.
You are cordially invited to visit Canada Social Bookmarking Website and share your blog articles.
ClearHolidays is a valuable resource for travelers seeking detailed information and inspiration for their trips. The platform provides in-depth travel guides, tailored tour packages, and helpful tips to make planning your journey easier and more enjoyable. Whether you’re interested in cultural landmarks or scenic spots, ClearHolidays has you covered.
For those exploring Almora, ClearHolidays offers insightful details about places to visit near Thana Bazar. The website not only highlights this local area but also suggests other nearby attractions that you might find interesting. With ClearHolidays, you can effortlessly plan your visit to make the most of your time in and around Thana Bazar.