Shift in Fact-Checking Dynamics

It seems that the landscape for fact-checkers has experienced a noticeable shift over the years. Politicians used to be quite concerned about being fact-checked. Whether it was the Washington Post dolling out “Pinocchios” or designating certain statements as outright lies, the weight of fact-checking was significant among Americans across the political spectrum.

Now, Glen Kessler, an influential fact-checker from the Washington Post, has suggested that things have changed drastically. In his recent piece heralding the challenges faced by fact-checkers today, he reflected on the rise of false claims, particularly around the era of Donald Trump. Kessler noted that social media has accelerated the spread of misinformation since Trump’s first campaign in 2015, which he described as a “dream for fact-checkers… and a nightmare.” During Trump’s presidency, Kessler’s team documented over 30,000 misleading statements, which he confessed, “Trump didn’t care.”

Kessler also pointed out a growing mistrust among Americans toward traditional media, including the very organizations meant to uphold factual correctness. He noted that attacks on the media from figures like Trump, who labeled journalists as “enemies of the people,” can damage public faith in established reporting.

Concerns About Media Integrity

During a conversation with Fox News Digital, Kessler stressed that Trump’s antagonism towards journalists contributes significantly to the trust deficit felt by many Americans, particularly his followers. He acknowledged the criticisms directed at fact-checking organizations, admitting the challenge of impartiality. “We can’t check every statement made by all politicians,” he remarked, hinting at the difficult choices made about which claims to scrutinize. At the Washington Post, the focus was always on uncovering substantive claims that illuminated policy issues.

Despite his criticisms of Trump’s pervasive presence and inaccurate claims, Kessler defended his coverage. In various pieces, he humorously referred to him as “Trump Bull,” acknowledging that “Trump has the biggest megaphone.” That said, it sometimes leads to a barrage of claims that need verification, challenging fact-checkers daily.

While critics often argue about inconsistency in fact-checking, Kessler was firm in his rejection of the notion that biases sway their work. He emphasized that, despite mistakes, he has produced thousands of checks, and the accusations often focus on a select few instances.

Crisis in the Lab-Leak Conversation

An example of this scrutiny arose from Kessler’s team’s handling of the Wuhan lab leak theory early in the pandemic. Kessler faced backlash for a report he classified as “doubtful,” responding to critics by maintaining that the scientific consensus at the time leaned against the theory of a lab leak.

Reflecting on the past, he admitted that perhaps a more cautious approach would have been wiser. “The old saying about never tweeting is quite true,” he chuckled. He later acknowledged needing to adapt, especially as new evidence emerged that shifted perspectives on the virus’s origins.

Push for Transparency

His experiences have propelled Kessler to advocate for reviving the Ombudsman position at the Post, which would allow for better transparency and accountability in reporting. He reminisced about the role’s importance in providing insights into editorial decisions, questioning, for instance, why specific stories are covered over others.

Kessler expressed frustration over feeling unable to respond to criticism directly, often left silent even when swamped with inquiries from readers about his work. His departure from the Post has left him hopeful that they can find a robust successor for the fact-checking role, but he voiced concerns about the uncertainty surrounding that process. “Whenever you’re not in place, it’s always uncertain,” he noted.

Even as Kessler steps away, he reiterated the importance of the integrity of fact-checkers, advocating for reliable journalism. Meanwhile, the Washington Post has stated its commitment to maintaining its status as a trusted news source, focusing on fact-based reporting across all its platforms.