Former Washington Post Fact-Checker Reflects on Challenges in Journalism

Former Washington Post Fact-Checker Reflects on Challenges in Journalism

In an era where fact-checking has become essential to public discourse, the role of journalists like Glenn Kessler has evolved significantly. Once, political figures feared being subjected to scrutiny from fact-checkers like those at The Washington Post. The implications of receiving a Pinocchio rating or being labeled with a Lie of the Year by PolitiFact weighed heavily on politicians across the spectrum.

Kessler Talks About Evolving Expectations

Kessler, formerly the lead fact-checker at The Washington Post, voiced his concerns in a recent article. He explained that the landscape of fact-checking has changed dramatically, particularly with the advent of social media which accelerates the spread of misinformation. His final piece for the paper, titled “The Fact Checker rose in an era of false claims. Falsehoods are now winning,” highlights this pressing issue.

The former fact-checker pointed to the rise of Donald Trump as a turning point for both fact-checking and public trust in journalism. Trump’s statements, which he described as a “fact-checker’s dream … and nightmare,” created a unique set of challenges for the fact-checking community. During Trump’s first term, Kessler tracked more than 30,000 statements that were either false or misleading. He candidly noted, “Trump didn’t care,” indicating a shift in the expectations of truthfulness from politicians.

Trust and Distrust in the Media

The distrust that a significant portion of Americans now harbors towards the media was also a focal point of Kessler’s reflections. He attributed some of this decline in trust directly to Trump’s verbal attacks on the press, branding them as “the enemy of the people.” Such rhetoric has, according to Kessler, undermined confidence in traditional journalism and shaped a more skeptical audience.

Critical of Selection Bias

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Kessler acknowledged that selection bias remains a criticism of the fact-checking field. He explained that it is impossible to fact-check every political statement, leading to difficult decisions about which claims warrant verification. At The Washington Post, the aim was to focus on substantive claims that shed light on important policies.

Kessler defended the notion of dedicating extensive resources to fact-checking Trump’s statements. He argued that Trump’s prominence and reach necessitated ongoing vigilance and responses from fact-checkers. He said, “He has the biggest megaphone. He’s constantly saying stuff. He’s not the most accurate.” Kessler faced the challenge of informing readers about the veracity of statements while managing the extensive attention Trump’s claims commanded.

Coping with Criticism and Errors

Critics have suggested that the issues facing the fact-checking industry extend beyond selection bias. They have raised concerns about perceived political bias, claiming correction patterns seem biased towards one side of the political spectrum. Kessler, however, rejected these assertions. He pointed out that despite having written or edited thousands of fact checks, critics tend to focus on a few that they believe were misguided.

An Unforgiving Landscape

One of the most controversial fact-checks referenced by critics involved the Wuhan lab-leak theory during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Kessler’s team published a report with the headline, “Was the new coronavirus accidentally released from a Wuhan lab? It’s doubtful.” This statement drew backlash from figures like Senator Ted Cruz, who accused Kessler of promoting misinformation.

In his defense, Kessler highlighted that the video accompanying the fact-check contained substantial scientific evidence. He humorously alluded to the well-known saying, “Never tweet,” suggesting that if he could have rewritten the headline, he would have opted for different wording.

Admitting Mistakes

Reflecting on his handling of the lab-leak theory report, Kessler expressed that he would have avoided the phrase “It’s doubtful” that he added to the title. He acknowledged that certain decisions, like this one, were reflective of his biases rather than being actively misleading. The shift in public opinion and emerging evidence around the virus’s origins prompted The Washington Post to issue a lengthy update to the video in 2021.

The Need for Transparency

Kessler has continually advocated for the reinstatement of an ombudsman at The Washington Post to foster transparency. He believes that an ombudsman could help explain editorial decisions to the audience, thus building trust in the media.

He articulated the importance of clarifying why certain stories get covered and others do not, and how choices are made during the fact-checking process. Kessler lamented that while corrections are occasionally issued, the behind-the-scenes reasoning often remains obscured.

Looking Towards the Future

Despite his exit from The Washington Post, Kessler remains hopeful about the future of the publication and its ongoing commitment to factual reporting. He shared concerns regarding the lack of a successor for his position and emphasized the importance of continuity in the fact-checking mission.

Kessler expressed that he had confidence in potential candidates to replace him and encouraged the editors to prioritize the search for a new fact-checker. As he reflected on his experience at The Washington Post, he remarked on the challenges and intricacies of such a vital role within modern journalism.

In closing, a spokesperson for The Washington Post stated that the organization remains committed to delivering fact-based journalism to its audience. As the media landscape continues to evolve and face scrutiny, the lessons extracted from Kessler’s experiences underscore the critical nature of accuracy and transparency in journalism.

Fox News contributed to this report.