Annual census finds nearly 300 fact-checking projects around the world
Growth is fueled by politics, protests and pandemic
By Mark Stencel & Joel Luther – June 22, 2020
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Mark Stencel
Mark Stencel is NPR's former managing editor for digital news and co-author of The Goat Must Be Fed, a 2014 Duke Reporters' Lab study on obstacles to newsroom innovation. He previously held senior editing and executive positions at the Washington Post and Congressional Quarterly, and was a reporter for the the News & Observer in Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
Update: 237 fact-checkers in nearly 80 countries … and counting
So far the Reporters' Lab list is up 26% over last's year annual tally.
By Mark Stencel & Joel Luther – April 3, 2020
U.S. fact-checkers gear up for 2020 campaign
Of the 226 fact-checking projects in the latest Reporters’ Lab global count, 50 are in the U.S. -- and most are locally focused.
By Mark Stencel & Joel Luther – November 25, 2019
Reporters’ Lab fact-checking tally tops 200
With AFP's expansion and new election-focused projects, our ongoing global survey now includes 210 active fact-checkers.
By Mark Stencel & Joel Luther – October 21, 2019
From Toronto to New Delhi, fact-checkers find reinforcements
New additions to the Reporters' Lab fact-checking database push global count to 195.
By Mark Stencel & Joel Luther – September 16, 2019
Number of fact-checking outlets surges to 188 in more than 60 countries
Strong growth in Asia and Latin America helps fuel global increase.
By Mark Stencel – June 11, 2019
The number of fact-checkers around the world: 156… and growing
Collaboration, aggregation and networks add to the Reporters' Lab ongoing survey of fact-checking projects in more than 50 countries.
By Mark Stencel – August 7, 2018
Fact-checking triples over four years
The annual fact-checking census from the Reporters' Lab finds 31 percent growth in the past year alone, and signs that many verification projects are becoming more stable.
By Mark Stencel & Riley Griffin – February 22, 2018
A big year for fact-checking, but not for new U.S. fact-checkers
Following a historic pattern, the number of American media outlets verifying political statements dropped after last year's presidential campaign.
By Mark Stencel – December 13, 2017
Fact-checking booms as numbers grow by 20 percent
With fact-checkers gathering for annual Global Fact summit, a Reporters’ Lab tally finds 17 new projects around the world. (But still not in Antarctica.)
By Mark Stencel – June 30, 2017