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PolitiFact.com was launched in August 2007 as a project of the St. Petersburg Times, later known as the Tampa Bay Times.
Answer: True
Explanation: PolitiFact.com commenced operations in August 2007, initially as a project of the St. Petersburg Times, which subsequently became the Tampa Bay Times.
Bill Adair, the founder of PolitiFact, continues to serve as its editor-in-chief.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bill Adair, the founder of PolitiFact, stepped down as editor in 2013 to assume a professorship, although he remains a contributing editor.
PolitiFact is operated by the Poynter Institute and has offices in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Washington, D.C.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Poynter Institute operates PolitiFact.com and maintains offices in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Washington, D.C., continuing its legacy from its origins with the Tampa Bay Times.
PolitiFact was initially launched in partnership with The Washington Post.
Answer: False
Explanation: PolitiFact was initially launched in August 2007 in conjunction with Congressional Quarterly (CQ), not The Washington Post.
The Tampa Bay Times, PolitiFact's original owner, is also owned by the Poynter Institute.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Tampa Bay Times, which originally owned PolitiFact, is indeed owned by the Poynter Institute, the same nonprofit organization that currently operates PolitiFact.
What organization currently operates PolitiFact.com?
Answer: The Poynter Institute
Explanation: PolitiFact.com is currently operated by the Poynter Institute, a nonprofit journalism organization.
When was PolitiFact.com initially launched?
Answer: August 2007
Explanation: PolitiFact.com was initially launched in August 2007.
Who founded PolitiFact.com?
Answer: Bill Adair
Explanation: Bill Adair is recognized as the founder of PolitiFact.com.
What was the initial partnership for PolitiFact.com when it launched?
Answer: Congressional Quarterly (CQ)
Explanation: PolitiFact.com was initially launched in August 2007 in partnership with Congressional Quarterly (CQ).
The "Truth-O-Meter" rating system includes a category called "Partially True" for statements that are mostly accurate but contain minor inaccuracies.
Answer: False
Explanation: The "Truth-O-Meter" rating system encompasses categories such as "True," "Mostly True," "Half True," "Mostly False," and "Pants on Fire." It does not include a specific designation termed "Partially True" for statements with minor inaccuracies.
PunditFact, a related website, focuses on fact-checking claims made by elected officials and government employees.
Answer: False
Explanation: PunditFact, a distinct entity from PolitiFact, is specifically dedicated to fact-checking statements made by political pundits, not elected officials or government employees.
PolitiFact exclusively uses its "Truth-O-Meter" to track campaign promises made by politicians.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the "Truth-O-Meter" is central to PolitiFact's evaluations, specific tracking tools like the "Trump-O-Meter" and "Obameter" are employed for monitoring campaign promises, indicating it is not exclusively the "Truth-O-Meter" for this purpose.
PolitiFact initially labeled the COVID-19 lab leak theory as "supported by evidence and widely accepted."
Answer: False
Explanation: PolitiFact initially characterized the COVID-19 lab leak theory as a "conspiracy theory that has been debunked," later revising this to "unsupported by evidence and in dispute."
The "Obameter" was a PolitiFact feature used to track promises made by President Donald Trump.
Answer: False
Explanation: The "Obameter" was utilized by PolitiFact to track promises made by President Barack Obama; a separate feature, the "Trump-O-Meter," was used for President Donald Trump's promises.
PolitiFact has created local affiliates to review promises made by elected officials of regional importance.
Answer: True
Explanation: PolitiFact has established regional affiliates, such as PolitiFact Tennessee and Wisconsin's "Walk-O-Meter," to scrutinize the promises of elected officials at the state and local levels.
The "Trump-O-Meter" was used by PolitiFact to track President Obama's campaign promises.
Answer: False
Explanation: The "Trump-O-Meter" was PolitiFact's tool for tracking President Donald Trump's campaign promises; the "Obameter" was used for President Obama's promises.
PolitiFact's primary function is to fact-check statements made by international political leaders and foreign news outlets.
Answer: False
Explanation: PolitiFact's primary function is to fact-check statements made by U.S. politicians and public figures, not international leaders or foreign news outlets.
Which of the following is NOT one of the ratings used in PolitiFact's "Truth-O-Meter" system?
Answer: Inaccurate
Explanation: The "Truth-O-Meter" system employs specific rating categories including "True," "Mostly True," "Half True," "Mostly False," and "Pants on Fire." The term "Inaccurate" is not a distinct rating within this established framework.
Which website is described as being devoted to fact-checking claims made by political pundits?
Answer: PunditFact
Explanation: PunditFact is identified as a related website specifically dedicated to fact-checking claims made by political pundits.
How did PolitiFact initially evaluate the COVID-19 lab leak theory before revising its stance?
Answer: A conspiracy theory that has been debunked
Explanation: Initially, PolitiFact classified the COVID-19 lab leak theory as a "conspiracy theory that has been debunked."
In 2009, PolitiFact was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of local city council meetings.
Answer: False
Explanation: PolitiFact received the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 2009, recognizing its comprehensive fact-checking initiative during the 2008 U.S. presidential election, not for coverage of local city council meetings.
What significant award did PolitiFact receive in 2009?
Answer: The Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting
Explanation: In 2009, PolitiFact was honored with the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting.
PolitiFact has faced allegations of both liberal and conservative bias from various observers.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source material indicates that PolitiFact has been subject to accusations of both liberal and conservative bias from diverse commentators and observers.
A 2011 analysis found that statements made by Democrats were significantly more likely to be rated "false" or "Pants on Fire" by PolitiFact compared to Republican statements.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, a 2011 analysis of PolitiFact's reporting revealed that statements attributed to Republicans were substantially more prone to receiving "false" or "Pants on Fire" ratings when compared to statements from Democrats.
Joseph Rago criticized PolitiFact for framing political debates solely as matters of lies and facts, ignoring underlying differences in worldviews.
Answer: True
Explanation: Joseph Rago, writing for The Wall Street Journal, posited that journalistic practices like those of PolitiFact tend to reframe political discourse into a dichotomy of truth and falsehood, thereby overlooking fundamental divergences in worldviews.
A 2018 text analysis by the University of Washington found clear evidence of systematic bias in PolitiFact's treatment of Democrats and Republicans.
Answer: False
Explanation: A 2018 text analysis conducted by the University of Washington did not find clear evidence of systematic bias in PolitiFact's handling of statements from Democrats and Republicans, though it noted limitations in detecting bias in judgment or selection.
Mark Hemingway argued that fact-checking projects like PolitiFact serve to suppress inconvenient truths.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mark Hemingway contended that fact-checking initiatives such as PolitiFact function as a mechanism to impede the dissemination of inconvenient truths within public discourse.
James Poniewozik suggested PolitiFact needed to improve its system for handling unprovable claims and avoid spreading false impressions.
Answer: True
Explanation: James Poniewozik, a critic cited in the material, recommended that PolitiFact enhance its methodology for addressing claims that are difficult to verify and mitigate the potential for inadvertently propagating misinformation.
Matt Welch criticized fact-checkers like PolitiFact for focusing too much on politicians' own policies rather than their rhetoric about opponents.
Answer: False
Explanation: Matt Welch's critique suggested that fact-checkers such as PolitiFact tended to concentrate more on politicians' statements regarding their adversaries than on the substance of their own policy proposals.
According to a 2011 analysis, Republican statements were rated "false" or "Pants on Fire" by PolitiFact approximately how many times more often than Democratic statements?
Answer: Three times
Explanation: A 2011 analysis indicated that statements made by Republicans were nearly three times more likely to be classified as "false" or "Pants on Fire" by PolitiFact compared to statements from Democrats.
Which of the following criticisms was leveled against PolitiFact by Joseph Rago of The Wall Street Journal?
Answer: It reframed political debates as matters of lies/facts, ignoring worldviews.
Explanation: Joseph Rago criticized PolitiFact for framing political debates primarily as issues of truthfulness or falsehood, thereby neglecting the underlying differences in fundamental worldviews.
According to Bill Adair, PolitiFact's founder, what did he state about Republicans and lying in later years?
Answer: Republicans lied more frequently than Democrats, justifying it as an 'epic battle'.
Explanation: Bill Adair, the founder of PolitiFact, stated in later years that Republicans tended to lie more frequently than Democrats, suggesting a belief among some Republicans that such actions were justified in a perceived 'epic battle'.
Which of the following is a criticism mentioned by James Poniewozik regarding PolitiFact?
Answer: It needed to improve handling of unprovable claims.
Explanation: James Poniewozik suggested that PolitiFact should enhance its capacity to address claims that are difficult to verify and refine its methods to prevent the inadvertent propagation of false impressions.
What did Mark Hemingway suggest was the function of fact-checking projects like PolitiFact?
Answer: To keep inconvenient truths out of public discourse.
Explanation: Mark Hemingway proposed that fact-checking projects, including PolitiFact, function as a means to suppress or exclude inconvenient truths from public discussion.
What did a 2016 analysis by the American Press Institute conclude about PolitiFact's coverage?
Answer: It was statistically more likely to be critical of Republicans.
Explanation: A 2016 analysis conducted by the American Press Institute concluded that PolitiFact's coverage demonstrated a statistical tendency to be more critical of Republicans.
PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2012 was Mitt Romney's claim regarding the sale of Chrysler to Italian investors.
Answer: True
Explanation: The claim made by Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential campaign concerning the sale of Chrysler to Italian investors was designated as PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" for 2012.
In 2015, PolitiFact designated "fake news" as its "Lie of the Year."
Answer: False
Explanation: In 2015, PolitiFact designated "various statements" made by Donald Trump as its "Lie of the Year," not the concept of "fake news."
PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2013 concerned President Obama's promise about keeping existing healthcare plans.
Answer: True
Explanation: President Barack Obama's assurance, "If you like your health care plan, you can keep it," was designated as PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2013.
PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2018 was the conspiracy theory that survivors of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting were crisis actors.
Answer: True
Explanation: The conspiracy theory positing that survivors of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting were "crisis actors" was identified by PolitiFact as its "Lie of the Year" for 2018.
PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2020 focused on misinformation regarding the 2020 election results.
Answer: False
Explanation: The "Lie of the Year" for 2020, as designated by PolitiFact, pertained to misinformation concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically theories denying its existence or severity, rather than the 2020 election results.
PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2023 was related to claims made by Donald Trump about the 2020 election.
Answer: False
Explanation: The "Lie of the Year" for 2023 was designated as the campaign of conspiracy theories promoted by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., not claims by Donald Trump regarding the 2020 election.
PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2010 was the claim that the Affordable Care Act represented a complete government takeover of the healthcare industry.
Answer: True
Explanation: The assertion that the Affordable Care Act constituted a "government takeover of healthcare" was designated as PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2010.
PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2017 was Donald Trump's assertion that Russian election interference was a fabricated story.
Answer: True
Explanation: Donald Trump's assertion that the issue of Russian interference in elections was a "made-up story" was identified by PolitiFact as its "Lie of the Year" for 2017.
The 2024 "Lie of the Year" involved claims about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, allegedly eating pets.
Answer: True
Explanation: The claim concerning Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, allegedly consuming pets was designated as PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" for 2024.
What was PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2013?
Answer: President Obama's promise: 'If you like your health care plan, you can keep it.'
Explanation: President Obama's promise, "If you like your health care plan, you can keep it," was designated as PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2013.
PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2016 was related to which concept?
Answer: Fake news
Explanation: In 2016, PolitiFact designated the concept of "fake news" as its "Lie of the Year," referencing fabricated news stories and conspiracy theories.
PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2015 was designated for:
Answer: Multiple statements made by Donald Trump.
Explanation: In 2015, PolitiFact designated "various statements" made by Donald Trump as its "Lie of the Year," noting a high percentage of his reviewed statements received negative ratings.
What was PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2018?
Answer: The conspiracy theory about 'crisis actors' at Stoneman Douglas High.
Explanation: The conspiracy theory alleging that survivors of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting were "crisis actors" was designated as PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" for 2018.
What was PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2010?
Answer: The claim that the Affordable Care Act represented a 'government takeover of healthcare'.
Explanation: The claim that the Affordable Care Act constituted a "government takeover of healthcare" was designated as PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" for 2010.
Which politician's promise was declared PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2013?
Answer: Barack Obama
Explanation: President Barack Obama's promise regarding healthcare plans was designated as PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2013.
What was the subject of PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2020?
Answer: Claims about the COVID-19 pandemic's severity or existence.
Explanation: Misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including theories denying its existence or downplaying its deadliness, was identified as PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2020.
What was PolitiFact's "Lie of the Year" in 2009?
Answer: Sarah Palin's assertion about 'death panels' in the Affordable Care Act.
Explanation: In 2009, PolitiFact designated Sarah Palin's assertion that the Affordable Care Act would lead to government "death panels" as its "Lie of the Year."
PolitiFact.com is primarily funded by advertising revenue generated from political campaigns.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source indicates that PolitiFact has received funding from various foundations (e.g., Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation) and technology companies (e.g., Facebook, Google News Initiative), rather than primarily advertising revenue from political campaigns.
Which of the following organizations has provided funding to PolitiFact since 2010?
Answer: The Ford Foundation
Explanation: Since 2010, PolitiFact has received funding from various sources, including foundations such as the Ford Foundation.
According to the source, why did Meta end its partnership with PolitiFact in early 2025?
Answer: Fact-checkers were deemed 'too politically biased'.
Explanation: Mark Zuckerberg announced the termination of Meta's partnership with PolitiFact, citing that fact-checkers had become perceived as 'too politically biased'.