In recent years, fact checking has become one of the fastest growing jobs in the journalism industry, and the introduction of AI tools has only accelerated this trend. With the rise of misinformation and fake news, there has been a growing demand for professionals who can verify the accuracy of information, and AI tools have provided a powerful new tool for fact checkers to do their work.
One of the most important roles of fact checkers is to verify the accuracy of news stories and other forms of media. This can involve checking information against other reliable sources, conducting interviews with experts, and analyzing data to confirm or refute claims. With the help of AI tools, fact checkers can now perform these tasks more quickly and accurately than ever before.
For example, one popular AI tool for fact checking is Full Fact, which uses machine learning algorithms to analyze news stories and identify potential inaccuracies. The tool can highlight statements that are likely to be false or misleading, and can also provide links to other sources that can help verify or refute claims. Another tool, Factmata, uses natural language processing to analyze social media posts and other online content, flagging potential inaccuracies and providing suggestions for corrections.
AI tools have also helped fact checkers to work more efficiently, allowing them to process large amounts of data quickly and accurately. For example, the Washington Post's Fact Checker team uses a tool called ClaimBuster, which can analyze transcripts of political speeches and debates and identify potential false or misleading claims. The tool can help fact checkers to prioritize which claims to investigate, saving them valuable time and resources.
Despite the many benefits of AI tools for fact checking, it's important to note that they are not a panacea. While they can help fact checkers to identify potential inaccuracies and verify claims more quickly and accurately, they are not a substitute for human judgment and expertise. In many cases, fact checkers still need to rely on their own knowledge and experience to determine whether information is accurate or not.
What Fact Checkers Do and How to Become One
To excel as a fact checker, communication skills, customer service skills, and dexterity are essential. According to our research on resumes, these are the most common skills for this role. If you aspire to become a fact checker, you need to consider your educational qualifications. A bachelor's degree is necessary for 77.6% of fact checkers, and 13.6% have a master's degree. Having only a high school diploma or GED is inadequate for this role.
Average Salary for Fact Checkers in America
The average salary for Fact Checkers in America is $50,635 per year or $24 per hour. The highest-paid 10% earn over $106,000 per year, while the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $24,000 per year.