How to become a fact checker

Most fact–checkers who have minimal experience begin by taking entry-level jobs, but education is nonetheless important to landing one of these positions. Education: At a minimum, you should have an associate degree, and a bachelor’s degree is preferred. Suggested majors include English, communications, or journalism.

Research suggests that fact–checking does indeed correct perceptions among citizens, as well as discourage politicians from spreading false or misleading claims.

A fact is an occurrence in the real world. The usual test for a statement of fact is verifiability—that is whether it can be demonstrated to correspond to experience. Standard reference works are often used to check facts.

Examples of fact statements

The leaves of growing plants are usually green. Most people use their legs to walk. Some people keep dogs as pets. 1 liter of water weighs 1 kilogram.

A fact is a statement that can be proven true or false. An opinion is an expression of a person’s feelings that cannot be proven. Opinions can be based on facts or emotions and sometimes they are meant to deliberately mislead others.

A basic principle in science is that any law, theory, or otherwise can be disproven if new facts or evidence are presented. If it cannot be somehow disproven by an experiment, then it is not scientific. Take, for example, the Universal Law of Gravitation.

Opinions are neither fact nor theory; they are not officially the domain of science (but don’t go thinking that scientists don’t have opinions — they are only human, and opinions often help to guide their research).

Opinions may not be rooted in fact or be supported by strong evidence, though there are exceptions, such as in the case of expert opinions. Sometimes, the language used in opinions can be deliberately emotional to mislead others. Therefore we need to know the purpose of the message or information.