A huge part of A\J’s mission is ensuring we report the truth about what’s happening to our natural world. These stories aren’t always uplifting, nor do they need to be – but they need to be accurate.
That’s where fact-checking comes in. The best fact-checkers can make or break a solid piece of environmental reporting, by doing everything from ensuring names and dates are correct to teasing out questions about how a writer has presented their argument.
Is something misleading? Is it a half-truth? In presenting a fact but ignoring another piece of information that dramatically changes the context, are we still telling our readers everything they need to know?
In my years writing and reporting environmental news, I’ve found that gaining experience fact-checking has made me a better writer and communicator. (And for students, it will also help improve your academic writing!)
« Looking for fact-checkers »
Alternatives is putting out a call through our GREEN\house network at Trent U and Fleming College for volunteer fact-checkers to work with our editorial team on upcoming issues of our print magazine, including themes on ethical investing, climate refugees and environmental education in Canada.
A\J will provide interested students guidance in learning how to fact-check an article. For those who want to go a step further, Poynter, a US-based institute dedicated to better journalism, also offer free online courses on improving your fact-checking skills.
« So – Interested? »
Email Andrew, A\J’s editor-in-chief, at editorial@alternativesjournal.ca if you want to learn more about fact-checking with us and we can talk about upcoming opportunities.
Also – Trent students selected to fact-check with A\J are also eligible to have their efforts count towards building your co-curricular record.