Libel, Fairness, and Fact Checking

Libel

Webster's Dictionary defines libel as . . . wait. Only crappy writers start sentences that way. Let's begin again. Libel (noun) is the act of committing defamatory false statements in either written or printed word or picture; the act must be communicated to at least one other person who is not the subject of the defamatory claims and must be "of and concerning" the plaintiff. In other words, if someone defames (libels [verb]) your mother, you can not sue. Exceptions to libelous actions include hyperbole, name-calling, and that which can not be proven false. In other words, if someone prints that you are a "stupid-head" or "the dumbest person the world has ever seen" or writes that you are a lousy lover, you can not sue for libel. For a really full, whomp-ass definition, visit Law.com. Essentially, the copyeditor's task here is pretty easy. Any time something potentially defamatory comes across your desk, consult the legal department.

Fact Checking

Fact checking involves checking the facts. Sounds easy, but the process unfolds in a few phases: Identify material that needs to be checked for factual accuracy Identify reliable sources for verifying the facts (good fact checkers always verify information by using two or more sources) Make any and all necessary corrections Material that needs verifying can vary widely, too: Verifying dates and events Verifying names (and spellings) Verifying items and people in photos and images Verifying quotes for proper source and exact wording Verifying names (and sometimes roles) of agencies and organizations Verifying statistics and math Here are the basic steps to follow: Read the entire article Read it again, marking any and all areas that will need fact checking Using keywords and phrases, begin verifying the facts using the most appropriate sources Document your sources (Remember: always use at least two) The trick is the sources. You have to use reliable, objective, accurate, and fair sources. So how do you know? Geez, good question. For instance, when trying to verify information about American defense and foreign policy, you might turn to the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, which touts itself as "a private, nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution dedicated to research and education on issues of government, politics, economics, and social welfare." But you'd be wrong, because the AEI is a conservative think tank. So, again, how would you know? Well, when you're starting out, you need to do research on your sources as well, finding out which ones are truly neutral and reliable and which ones just claim to be so. Here: I'll start you out. (Pretty) Reliable Internet Sources Federal Statistics Provides access to the full range of official statistical information produced by the Federal Government. Census Bureau Source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data. Census Bureau Statistical Abstract Authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. Annenberg Political Fact Check For all things political, especially claims made by candidates during elections. Lexis Nexis Searchable database for just about anything in print. Generally, Lexis for law and Nexis for journalism. Our library provides a link to their academic database. Snopes The best-known resource for validating and debunking urban legends, Internet rumors, e-mail forwards, and other such stories of uncertain or questionable origin in American popular culture Symantec Makers of Norton Anti-Virus, but also an excellent source for verifying (and downloading fixes for) the latest computer viruses and malicious computer programs. History Well, it’s a commercial site, but it’s good. Movie & TV Stars Aw, you’ve all been here. Wikipedia Generally everything; you’ve all been here, too.

Fact Checking Exercises

Identify and then either verify or correct the facts in the following. List the sources you used to verify or amend the information. Do it like this: Place parentheses around each fact (whether word, phrase, date, or whatever). Place a footnote after the parentheses. At the bottom of the page, where the footnote number shows up, write either the corrected information (as well as listing the two sources you used for verification, probably as a URL) or the word CORRECT. 1. The First Continental Congress met on July 4, 1776, at the Old North Church in Boston in response to the Stamp Act and included delegates from all 13 colonies. 2. Paul Revere, a Philadelphia goldsmith, did not actually ride alone to warn colonists of the approaching British army on the night of November 17, 1775; he was accompanied by William Dawes and Samuel Prescott. 3. While Americans celebrate their Independence Day every July 4th, many other countries celebrate their own independence on different days. Mexico, for example, celebrates its independence on May 5th, with their now-famous Cinco de Mayo celebration. India commemorates August 15th as the day of its independence from France, achieved in 1946. And even Puerto Rico has an independence day, which it observes on September 15th to mark its separation from Spain. 4. Hammurabi (247-183 or 182 B.C.) is generally considered to be one of the most brilliant commanders in history. His greatest feat occurred during the Second Punic War (116-87 B.C.) when he led his army, including 37 elephants and 38,000 infantry, over the Pyrenees and the Alps from Siberia to Italy, surprising the Etruscans and winning several large battles over the ensuing years. He lived to the age of 72 or 73, depending on whether he died in 183 or 182 B.C. 5. The best time to barbecue is summer, when it’s hot out because the earth is closest to the sun. The best barbecuing technique is to first place the meat over a hot fire to sear the meat, thus sealing in the juices. Then, transfer the meat to a cooler fire and let it cook slowly until done. As Henry David Thoreau once said, “Let the stoics say what they please, we do not eat for the good of living, but because the meat is savory and the appetite is keen.”