The Principles of the Truth-O-Meter: PolitiFact’s methodology for independent fact-checkingFact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact. Our core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing. The reason we publish is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy.Since our launch in 2007, we’ve received many questions about how we choose facts to check, how we stay nonpartisan, how we go about fact-checking and other topics. This document attempts to answer those questions and many more.PolitiFactPLTFCT_593d9084-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea00Tampa Bay TimesPolitiFact started in 2007 as an election-year project of the Tampa Bay Times (then named the St. Petersburg Times), Florida’s largest daily newspaper.Poynter Institute for Media StudiesPolitiFact is owned by the nonprofit Poynter Institute for Media Studies, and PolitiFact's editor-in-chief and executive director report to the Poynter president. PolitiFact had been owned by the Tampa Bay Times, but in 2018 direct ownership of PolitiFact was transferred from the Times to Poynter, which is the newspaper’s parent company. The move allows PolitiFact to function fully as a not-for-profit national news organization.Nelson PoynterThe ties between the Poynter Institute and the Tampa Bay Times go back decades. The longtime owner of the Times was Nelson Poynter, whose father had bought the newspaper in 1912. Poynter championed independent journalism and wanted to ensure that the newspaper remain locally owned and protected from chain ownership. So upon his death in 1978, he left the newspaper not to his heirs, but to the school for journalists that now bears his name.Congressional QuarterlyNelson Poynter was also the founder of Congressional Quarterly, a news organization covering Congress in Washington, D.C., that the Poynter Institute owned until 2009. PolitiFact now continues the Poynter Institute’s historical connection to Washington-based political journalism.Paul TashControl of both the Poynter Institute and the Tampa Bay Times lies with a single executive. Upon retirement, that leader picks a successor. Poynter himself picked Eugene Patterson, who picked Andrew Barnes, who picked the Times' current chairman and CEO, Paul Tash, a lifelong journalist.PoliticiansFrom the beginning, PolitiFact focused on looking at specific statements made by politicians and rating them for accuracy.PolitiFact TeamPolitiFact is run by the editors and journalists who make up the PolitiFact team. No one tells us what to write about or how to rate statements. We do so independently, using our news judgment.PolitiFact StaffMeet the PolitiFact staff ~ PolitiFact journalists are committed to helping you sort out fact from fiction. You can learn more about our team below. If you're interested in having a PolitiFact journalist speak to your group or have general questions, you can contact us at truthometer@politifact.com.Angie Drobnic HolanAaron SharockmanKatie SandersRebecca CatalanelloMiriam ValverdeJosie HollingsworthLouis JacobsonJon GreenbergAmy ShermanBill McCarthySamantha PuttermanCaryn BairdYacob ReyesMaria Ramirez UribeErin Chan DingIzz LaMagdeleineGabrielle SettlesJillian BannerCiara O'RourkeTom KertscherVictoria KnightChris NicholsMadison CzopekMonique CuretNusaiba MizanJeff CerconeLuiz RomeroNaseem FerdowsiPaul SpechtWarren FiskeAndy NguyenSara SwannClara HendricksonVivian LamBecca SchimmelJill Terreri RamosPolitiFact PartnersOur partner websites ~ PolitiFact has several companion websites. PolitiFact runs PunditFact, a site devoted to fact-checking talking heads, as well as PolitiFact Florida, aimed at state-level fact-checking. Other PolitiFact state sites are run by news organizations that have partnered with PolitiFact. The state sites follow the same principles as the national site.NewspapersSome of our current partners are newspapers, such as ...Austin American-Statesman(part of GateHouse Media)Milwaukee Journal Sentinel(part of Gannett Co. Inc.)Capital Public RadioOur partners also include Capital Public Radio based in Sacramento, Calif., and ...VTdigger.organ independent Vermont-based news website.Social Media PlatformsOur partnerships with social media platforms ~ PolitiFact partners with Facebook and TikTok to help try and slow the spread of misinformation online. As part of those partnerships, Facebook and TikTok flag posts that they believe may be factually inaccurate or misleading. PolitiFact fact-checkers examine the posts and provide feedback to the social media companies as to the accuracy of the claims made in the posts. While PolitiFact determines the accuracy of the posts, TikTok and Facebook decide what, if any, action to take on their platforms.FacebookTikTokPolitiFact FundersOur funding ~ In the years following our start, PolitiFact relied primarily on financial support from the Tampa Bay Times newspaper. Today, we receive support from revenue generated through content partnerships, online advertising and grants. In 2017, PolitiFact launched a membership campaign called the Truth Squad to allow donations from readers and fans of fact-checking. PolitiFact discloses any individual donation or grant in excess of $1,000. We also disclose organizations that contributed more than 5 percent of total PolitiFact revenues in the previous calendar year... PolitiFact does not accept donations from anonymous sources, political parties, elected officials or candidates seeking public office, or any other source we would consider a conflict of interest. PolitiFact does not give donors, advertisers or grantmakers any influence over content or ratings. Our contracts and grant agreements have clauses asserting our editorial independence. Decisions on coverage, what facts to check, and Truth-O-Meter ratings are determined solely by PolitiFact’s independent journalists.PolitiFact ReadersHow to support us ~ Reader contributions are one of our main sources of funding.Truth SquadWe ask readers to support our journalism by joining the Truth Squad, a membership group for those who want to see our fact-checking work continue and grow. Truth Squad members help ensure that our content remains free to all readers. Truth Squad members receive regular communications from the PolitiFact team, as well as perks such as Pants on Fire stickers. Readers can also support us by signing up for our weekly email, liking us on Facebook, or following us on Twitter. Finally, readers can support us by sharing our work with friends and family.Citizens have the information they need to govern themselves_593d91ce-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea00To fact check journalism_593d92d2-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea00JournalismFact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact.EthicsOur ethics policy for PolitiFact journalists:FactualityPolitiFact seeks to present the true facts, unaffected by agenda or biases. Our journalists set their own opinions aside as they work to uphold principles of independence and fairness...TruthfulnessNonpartisanshipAs part of that effort, PolitiFact journalists avoid the public expression of political opinion and public involvement in the political process. We don’t make political contributions or work on campaigns. We don’t sign online petitions, post yard signs, or participate in political marches. We avoid expressing political views on social media. We do share news stories and other journalism, but we take care not to be seen as endorsing or opposing a political figure or position. We avoid snarky commentary. We may participate in the political process as voters, because we also have responsibilities as individual citizens of the United States. But we keep our votes to ourselves as a matter of principle.Open MindednessOur goal is to be open-minded in all of our work. This policy applies to full-time staffers, correspondents and interns. We avoid doing anything that compromises PolitiFact or our ability to do our jobs with independence and fairness.PrinciplesOur core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing.IndependenceTransparencyFairnessThoroughnessClarityInformationThe reason we publish is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy.Self-GovernanceDemocracySelectionsDetermine which claims to fact-check_593d9624-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea001Political PartiesWe select statements about topics that are in the news. Without keeping count, we try to select facts to check from both Democrats and Republicans. At the same time, we more often fact-check the party that holds power or people who repeatedly make attention-getting or misleading statements.How we choose claims to fact-check ~ Each day, PolitiFact journalists look for statements to fact-check. We read transcripts, speeches, news stories, press releases, and campaign brochures. We watch TV and scan social media. Readers send us suggestions via email to truthometer@politifact.com; we often fact-check statements submitted by readers. Because we can't feasibly check all claims, we select the most newsworthy and significant ones. In deciding which statements to check, we consider these questions:VerifiabilityDetermine whether statements are rooted in facts that are verifiable_593d978c-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea001.1Is the statement rooted in a fact that is verifiable? We don’t check opinions, and we recognize that in the world of speechmaking and political rhetoric, there is license for hyperbole._2339c1fa-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_1[To be determined]CredibilityEvaluate whether statements seem misleading or sound wrong_593d9908-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea002Does the statement seem misleading or sound wrong?_2339c47a-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_2[To be determined]SignificanceAssess the significance of statements_593d9a66-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea003Is the statement significant? We avoid minor "gotchas" on claims that are obviously a slip of the tongue._2339c5c4-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_3[To be determined]TransmissibilityAssess whether statements are likely to be passed on and repeated by others_593d9b74-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea004Is the statement likely to be passed on and repeated by others?_2339c844-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_4[To be determined]PlausibilityConsider whether a typical person would wonder about the truth of statements_593d9c6e-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea005Would a typical person hear or read the statement and wonder: Is that true?_2339c998-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_5[To be determined]JudgementsHelp readers judge for themselves whether they agree with our ratings_593d9d72-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea002Our on-the-record sourcing ~ PolitiFact uses on-the-record interviews and publishes a list of sources with every fact-check. When possible, the list includes links to sources that are freely available, although some sources rely on paid subscriptions. The goal is to help readers judge for themselves whether they agree with the ruling.InterviewsUse on-the-record interviews_593d9e6c-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea002.1We always contact or attempt to contact the person, website or organization that made the statement we are fact-checking._2339cad8-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_6[To be determined]SourcesPublish listings of sources_593d9f66-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea002.2Every fact-check is different, but generally speaking our reporting process includes the following: a review of what other fact-checkers have found previously; a thorough Google search; a search of online databases; consultation with a variety of experts; a review of publications and a final overall review of available evidence. We emphasize primary sources and original documentation. We seek direct access to government reports, academic studies and other data. It’s not sufficient for us to get something second-hand. We don’t rely on what a campaign or elected official tells us -- we verify it independently. In cases where PolitiFact must cite news reports from other media that rely on unnamed or unattributed sources (usually due to the extreme newsworthiness of the report), we note that we cannot independently verify their reporting._2339cc22-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_7[To be determined]Fact ChecksReview of what other fact-checkers have found previously_593da0d8-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea002.2.1Fact-Checkers_2339cd6c-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_8[To be determined]Google QueriesConduct thorough Google searches_593da1dc-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea002.2.2Google_2339ceb6-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_9[To be determined]DatabasesSearch online databases_593da2e0-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea002.2.3Online Databases_2339d000-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_10[To be determined]ExpertsConsult with a variety of experts_593da3f8-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea002.2.4Experts_2339d154-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_11[To be determined]PublicationsReview publications_593da506-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea002.2.5Publications_2339d2b2-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_12[To be determined]OverviewConduct final overall reviews of available evidence_593da60a-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea002.2.6_2339d410-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_13[To be determined]RatingsRate the accuracy statements_593da722-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea003How we determine Truth-O-Meter ratings ~ The goal of the Truth-O-Meter is to reflect the relative accuracy of a statement. The meter has six ratings, in decreasing level of truthfulness: ^ TRUE – The statement is accurate and there’s nothing significant missing. ^ MOSTLY TRUE – The statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information. ^ HALF TRUE – The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details or takes things out of context. ^ MOSTLY FALSE – The statement contains an element of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression. ^ FALSE – The statement is not accurate. ^ PANTS ON FIRE – The statement is not accurate and makes a ridiculous claim. ^ The burden of proof is on the speaker, and we rate statements based on the information known at the time the statement is made. ^ The reporter who researches and writes the fact-check suggests a rating when they turn in the report to an assigning editor. The editor and reporter review the report together, typically making clarifications and adding additional details. They come to agreement on the rating. Then, the assigning editor brings the rated fact-check to two additional editors. ^ The three editors and reporter then review the fact-check by discussing the following questions. • Is the statement literally true? • Is there another way to read the statement? Is the statement open to interpretation? • Did the speaker provide evidence? Did the speaker prove the statement to be true? • How have we handled similar statements in the past? What is PolitiFact’s jurisprudence? ^ The three editors then vote on the rating (two votes carry the decision), sometimes leaving it as the reporter suggested and sometimes changing it to a different rating. More edits are made; the report is then published.TruthfulnessDetermine whether statements are literally_593da97a-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea003.1_2339d578-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_14[To be determined]InterpretationDetermine whether statements are open multiple interpretations_593daaa6-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea003.2_2339d6e0-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_15[To be determined]ProofDetermine whether speakers have provided evidence proving their statement to be true_593dabd2-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea003.3_2339d852-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_16[To be determined]JurisprudenceConsider how similar statements have been handled in the past_593dadf8-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea003.4_2339d9c4-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_17[To be determined]ConsistencyRate the consistency of officials' positions on issues_593db064-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea004Public OfficialsHow we determine Flip-O-Meter ratings ~ The Flip-O-Meter rates an official's consistency on an issue. The rating is not making a value judgment about a politician who changes positions on an issue. Some voters appreciate politicians who are flexible and have the ability to compromise or adapt their positions to the wishes of their voters. ^ Still, accusations of shifting positions are common in politics, and we’ve found that an analysis of the shift and the degree of change can be informative. ^ The Flip-O-Meter has three ratings: * NO FLIP – No significant change in position. * HALF FLIP – A partial change in position. * FULL FLOP – A complete change in position. ^ The writing, editing and rating process for Flip-O-Meter reports is similar to the process for Truth-O-Meter fact-checks._593db1ae-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea00_2339db40-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_18[To be determined]Campaign PromisesTrack campaign promises_593db2da-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea005Candidates for Elective OfficeHow we track campaign promises ~ PolitiFact tracks campaign promises in order to inform readers how well elected officials carry out their agenda.OutcomesRate campaign promises based on verifiable outcomes_593db3fc-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea005.1We rate campaign promises based on verifiable outcomes, not on intentions or effort._2339dcc6-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_19[To be determined]DiscoveryFind promises_593db532-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea005.2To create our promise meters, such as the Trump-O-Meter, we pore through speech transcripts, TV appearances, position papers and campaign websites looking for promises. ^ We define a promise as a prospective statement of an action or outcome that is verifiable. All of our promises list the source... ^ Promise ratings change when circumstances change. For some promises, it's possible that the status could initially go to In the Works, but then move back to Stalled if we decide the proposal has hit a lull, and then go back to the In the Works. Similarly, a promise could be rated Promise Kept, but if the official reversed course, the promise would then be rated Promise Broken._2339de88-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_20[To be determined]ProgressDetermine whether progress is being made_593db65e-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea005.3The promise meters have six ratings. The first three provide a broad picture of whether the official is making progress: * NOT YET RATED — Every promise begins at this level and retains this rating until we see evidence of progress — or evidence that the promise has stalled. * IN THE WORKS — This indicates the promise has been proposed or is being considered. * STALLED — There is no movement on the promise, perhaps because of limitations on money, opposition from lawmakers or a shift in priorities._2339e158-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_21[To be determined]SuccessDetermine whether promises have been kept_593db780-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea005.4the final three indicate whether he or she kept the promise: * COMPROMISE — Promises earn this rating when they accomplish substantially less than the official’s original statement but when there is still a significant accomplishment that is consistent with the goal of his original promise. * PROMISE KEPT — Promises earn this rating when the original promise is mostly or completely fulfilled. * PROMISE BROKEN – The promise has not been fulfilled. This could occur because of inaction by the executive or lack of support from the legislative branch or other group that was critical for the promise to be fulfilled. A Promise Broken rating does not necessarily mean that the executive failed to advocate for the policy._2339e338-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_22[To be determined]MistakesCorrect mistakes_593db8c0-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea006How we correct our mistakes ~ Mistakes happen. PolitiFact corrects errors as quickly as possible and with appropriate transparency.NotificationEnable readers and others to bring errors to our attention_593db9f6-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea006.1PolitiFact ReadersReaders and others can bring errors to our attention by emailing truthometer@politifact.com or contacting the individual reporter. We may not respond in cases where the request for correction is baseless or unwarranted._2339e5e0-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_23[To be determined]Major ErrorsProvide new ratings and correction marks for serious errors at the top of the page_593dbb22-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea006.2Major errors of fact – A serious error that results in a new rating or otherwise changes the general outlook of the fact-check receives a mark of correction at the top of the fact-check. ^ The text of the fact-check is updated with the new information, and an archived copy of the previous fact-check is preserved and linked to. Additionally, the link text for the item is marked as updated. Corrected fact-checks receive a tag of "Corrections and updates."_2339e874-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_24[To be determined]Factual ErrorsMark less significant corrections at the bottom of the fact-check_593dbc76-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea006.3Errors of fact – Errors of fact that do not impact the rating or do not change the general outlook of the fact-check receive a mark of correction at the bottom of the fact-check. The text of the fact-check is updated with the new information. The correction states the correct information that has been added to the report. If necessary for clarity, it repeats the incorrect information. Corrected fact-checks receive a tag of "Corrections and updates."_2339ea36-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_25[To be determined]Small ErrorsCorrect typos, grammatical errors, misspellings, transpositions and other small errors_593dbdac-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea006.4Typos, grammatical errors, misspellings – We correct typos, grammatical errors, misspellings, transpositions and other small errors without a mark of correction or tag and as soon as they are brought to our attention._2339ebf8-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_26[To be determined]UpdatesAdd information to stories and fact-checks after they’ve published as a service to readers_593dbee2-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea006.5Updates – 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."_2339edb0-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_27[To be determined]NotesAlert readers to other information that would be helpful_593dc0ae-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea006.6Explanatory editor’s notes – Sometimes we alert readers to other information that would be helpful, without changing the original report, such as an outpouring of reader response. In those cases, we post an editor’s note, either at the top or the bottom of the report, as appropriate. Editor’s notes are sometimes used on initial publication to explain a special report’s purpose or outlook._2339ef7c-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_28[To be determined]International NetworkParticipate in the International Fact-checking Network_593dc270-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea007International Fact-Checking NetworkPolitiFact first became a signatory to the IFCN principles on April 15, 2017, and has renewed its commitment every year since. The application and an independent assessment of our work is available for the public to view via the International Fact-Checking Network. ^ The network offers a complaint process to the public for anyone who believes that a fact-checking organization is significantly violating its commitment to the principles.Our participation in the International Fact-checking Network ~ As part of our ongoing efforts to champion the values of accuracy, transparency and fairness, PolitiFact is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network’s code of principles. ^ The network says its code is for "organizations that regularly publish nonpartisan reports on the accuracy of statements by public figures, major institutions, and other widely circulated claims of interest to society. It is the result of consultations among fact-checkers from around the world and offers conscientious practitioners principles to aspire to in their everyday work." ^ The principles are aimed at common goals or excellence in fact-checking around the world. They include: • A commitment to nonpartisanship and fairness. • A commitment to transparency of sources. • A commitment to transparency of funding and organization. • A commitment to transparency of methodology. • A commitment to open and honest corrections.Nonpartisanship & FairnessBe nonpartisan and fair_593dc3ce-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea007.1_2339f13e-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_29[To be determined]SoucesBe transparent about sources_593dc608-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea007.2_2339f346-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_30[To be determined]Funding & OrganizationBe transparent about funding and organization_593dc89c-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea007.3_2339f5a8-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_31[To be determined]MethodologyBe transparent about methodology_593dca86-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea007.4_2339f79c-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_32[To be determined]CorrectionsMake open and honest corrections_593dcc8e-e698-11ec-854b-d21c2b83ea007.5_2339f986-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00PLACEHOLDER_33[To be determined]_2339fb66-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea002007-01-012022-06-07https://www.politifact.com/article/2018/feb/12/principles-truth-o-meter-politifacts-methodology-i/_2339fd50-e699-11ec-babb-16462b83ea00OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net