The Origins of Fact-Checking

Fact-checking was largely pioneered by Glenn Kessler at the Washington Post, who began developing this journalistic practice after witnessing misleading claims during the 2004 Republican National Convention. Kessler's push for fact-checking stemmed from a conviction that the media needed to hold politicians accountable for their statements, which he felt were often riddled with inaccuracies. The inception of platforms like PolitiFact and formal fact-checking roles within newsrooms between 2004 and 2007 was a direct response to the evolving landscape of political discourse. This marked a significant shift, recognizing the need for objective assessments of truth in a media environment increasingly dominated by partisan rhetoric.