Just the Facts: Politics and the New Journalism

Glenn Kessler, the Washington Post's Fact Checker, has written about the growth of factchecking around the world and what it means for politics and democracy.

"Political fact-checking has thus become an essential component of independent journalism in a democratic society. It teaches both politicians and voters that there is something called ground truth—facts that are not in dispute and can create a base level of knowledge for evaluating statements made by government officials and opposition figures.

"This is especially important in countries where traditional media has been reluctant to challenge authority and journalistic standards vary widely. Fact-checking has the potential to quickly raise the level of political discourse and the quality of journalism. Huge investments in infrastructure are not necessary; all advocates need is a website and some dedicated professionals."

Read the full article on www.foreignaffairs.com.