The Political Scene | The New Yorker The New Yorker’s Head of Fact Checking on Our Post-Truth Era
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Sep 11, 2025 Fergus McIntosh, the head research editor at The New Yorker, discusses fact-checking in the era of Trump and the challenges posed by disinformation. He delves into how deepfakes complicate the verification of facts and Trump's aggressive tactics against government data release. The conversation highlights the obstacles journalists face in assessing credibility and the ripple effects of misinformation on public trust. Fergus emphasizes the need for transparency and improved methodologies in navigating today's complex political narratives.
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Facts Depend On Selection And Framing
- Facts often depend on selection, interpretation, and emphasis rather than existing as singular objects.
- Fergus McIntosh argues that how you choose and frame accurate information shapes the story readers receive.
Iterate Relentlessly When Fact-Checking
- Treat fact-checking as an iterative process: isolate claims, trace sources, and ask how each source knows what it claims.
- Keep digging until you reach solid ground or escalate the uncertainty into an editorial judgment.
Data Always Carries Built-In Assumptions
- All data sets reflect choices, assumptions, and baked-in points of view rather than a perfect mirror of reality.
- McIntosh warns that even authoritative government data can be skewed by selection and estimation methods.