Search dedicated fact-checking organizations, verification resources, and official government sources to verify claims and check accuracy of information. This collection includes established fact-checkers, news organization verification teams, and government databases for confirming official records and statistics.
Search Fact-Checking Sources
Sources included in this search: Established fact-checkers (Snopes, PolitiFact, FactCheck.org), news organization fact-check divisions (AP Fact Check, Reuters Fact Check, Washington Post Fact Checker), verification training resources (Bellingcat, First Draft), and official government sources (Congress.gov, FEC.gov, OpenSecrets) for confirming records and data.
How to Fact-Check Effectively
Start with specific claims: Search for exact quotes, statistics, or specific factual assertions rather than broad topics.
Check multiple sources: Look for consensus among different fact-checkers, especially on complex or evolving stories.
Verify the original source: Use government databases and official records to confirm statistics, voting records, and policy details.
Check the date: Ensure fact-checks are recent and relevant to current claims, especially for evolving situations.
Look for context: Many claims are technically true but misleading without proper context – good fact-checkers explain the full picture.
Red Flags to Watch For
Be cautious of claims that:
- Lack specific details or sources
- Use extreme language (“never,” “always,” “completely”)
- Cite unnamed “studies” or “experts”
- Make statistical claims without context
- Contradict multiple credible sources
Common manipulation tactics:
- Cherry-picking data from longer time periods
- Correlation presented as causation
- Anecdotal evidence presented as representative
- Outdated information presented as current
Beyond Basic Fact-Checking
For deeper verification:
- Financial claims: Use OpenSecrets.org for campaign finance and lobbying data
- Voting records: Check Congress.gov and Ballotpedia for actual legislative history
- Statistical claims: Verify with original government sources (Census, BLS, CDC)
- International claims: Cross-reference with Full Fact (UK) and AFP Fact Check for global perspective
For comprehensive news coverage, see our Balanced News & Analysis Search. For expert commentary and analysis, visit our Curated Commentary section.