Editorial: Factcheck.org is a resource for those who care about the real facts
by Kendra Foster, posted Oct. 27, 2008
The only good thing that comes from an election year is the drop in gas prices. I see that they have fallen to $2.59 at some of the local stations. I think, though, that I am more than willing to pay the extra cents per gallon if only the political campaigning would stop. It seems that every year the political campaigns engage in more mudslinging. Somewhere in the midst of all the filth flying through the airwaves, the truth gets lost. How are voters to determine which candidate to vote for if only vague versions of the truth are released?
The creators of Factcheck.org realized and rose to meet the increasing need for accuracy in advertising.
Factcheck.org was created by the Annenberg Foundation of the University of Pennsylvania. It was started to give voters the truth, which both political parties seem to leave out. Factcheck.org is not part of any political party, nor is it funded by any party. It is funded by the Annenberg Foundation, as part of its mission to, “advance the public well-being through improved communication.”
“We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit ‘consumer advocate’ for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding,” according to the mission statement on their Web site.
This can be a vital tool for voters in the up-coming elections. Charles Davis, an associate professor and editorial department chair at MU, is a huge proponent of Web sites such as factcheck.org. Davis encourages students in his journalism classes to check the facts, and to consider the motive behind the story.
“I’m afraid that in today’s politically-charged environment, even facts are held hostage. I think factcheck.org, which I have used countless times, is an invaluable resource, but hey, I am a big fan of facts,” Davis said.
In the second political debate between Barack Obama and John McCain, there were seven different statements that factcheck.org felt needed clarification. Here are a few samples of how this Web site helps voters on the health care issue:
* “Obama said his health care plan would lower insurance premiums by up to $2,500 a year. Experts we’ve consulted see little evidence such savings would materialize.”
* “McCain misstated his own health care plan, saying he’d give a $5,000 tax credit to ‘every American.’ His plan actually would provide only $2,500 per individual, or $5,000 for couples and families. He also misstated Obama’s health care plan, claiming it would levy fines on ‘small businesses’ that fail to provide health insurance. Actually, Obama’s plan exempts ‘small businesses.’”
The examples go on and on. Obama and McCain both spout so many falsehoods; it’s good to know that a Web site like factcheck.org is holding them accountable. It reveals the truth behind more than just presidential candidates’ speeches. Factcheck.org also offers truth behind the vice presidential debates between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden.
Our nation is at a point that will drastically change its future. As voters, we need to use this and other fact-checking devices. We need to vote wisely, and we need to vote based on the facts.
