The Conversation latest publisher to launch fact checking service
Independent news and analysis website The Conversation has launched fact checking website Election FactCheck, to be edited by former Sunday Age editor Gay Alcorn.
The move by The Conversation sees it join the ranks of Politifact and the ABC, which is about to launch its own fact checking unit, in launching specialist units or website designed to check the statements of politicians and other senior people in the public debate.
Alcorn is the latest former senior Age staffer to join The Conversation, which was founded by former editor-in-chief of The Age Andrew Jaspan. Michelle Grattam formerly political editor of The Age now writes for the site. The Conversation is mainly funded through Australia’s universities.
“Obviously there are now three sites, which is quite a lot really, but I think what The Conversation offers is a very different methodology,” said Alcorn, citing The Conversation’s decision to use an academic peer review methodology in its fact checking.
What happened to editors?
Michelle Grattam?
If that’s their first fact checking effort it doesn’t bode well for the rest of their attempts. Judging from the mangled English in this particular article I’d hazard a guess that the bar isn’t set all that high in any respect.
Arriving at a solid fact with real data is hard enough (just ask a climate scientist). Arriving at a solid fact that came from the mouth of a politician is like the labour of Sisyphus: ultimately fruitless and never ending.
Snore. Who’s gonna check their own facts?
ho hum-another leftist fact checking site that will do anything but. The first fact check proves it. Boat people are far and away predominately economic refugees. Most Australia’s not blinded by socialism understand this.
LOL @ kraka – blinded by facts more like it. Wouldn’t want to let such inconveniences interfering with one’s own ideological narrative now, would we?
Connor-care to disprove the economic refugee statement. Pretty hard when over 80% (and over 90% for some countries) are still on government handouts after 5 years. In your defence you probably only read left wing group think sites so unlikely to know this little “pesky” fact.
I’m seriously amazed my comment and others are still up. These left wing sites are famous for their anti conservative moderation tactics.
kraka:1) Perhaps they are on welfare payments because they can afford to be, and; 2) They were able to pay their way here in a fashion that the less economically resource were able to?
James-which makes them economic refugees-top of the class for you.