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I think "fact checking" has lost its legitimacy in the eyes of many people — and journalism in general. You can't convince people that something is objective wh
by richbell 2y ago
I think "fact checking" has lost its legitimacy in the eyes of many people — and journalism in general. You can't convince people that something is objective when it has an obvious bias.
Think of The Washinton Post's absurd "fact check" of Bernie Sanders. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/bernie-sanders-medical-bankruptcy-washington-post-fact-check-878120/ https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/bernie-s...
Granted, we know that some beliefs are incredibly resistant to contradicting evidence, and can even result in people doubling-down (e.g., anti-vax). (Ironically, I don't have a citation for this at hand.)
- delichon 2y agoThe fact that someone can gain credibility by announcing that they are a truth teller explains way too much about the reliability of garden variety human empiricism.
- adamrezich 2y ago“Fact-checker” is just a sad last-ditch attempt to salvage this “Arbiter of Truth” status from the smoldering remains of the once-respected “journalist” profession.
- susiecambria 2y agoI agree. But at the same time wonder if there are just some folks who are contrary and use facts when it suits them and ignore them when not. I know in one case, the person is simply always right. So in this case, it's a personality thing more than a fact thing.