Fact-Checking for Accuracy

Fact-checkers and copy editors often work closely together, as their mutual goal is ensuring the accuracy and consistency of a text. However, when a publication or publishing house does not have the budget for a fact-checker, copy editors often must take responsibility for ensuring that stories are accurate with respect to names, titles, dates, and facts. This course will outline procedures to confirm accuracy, from using primary and secondary source material to conducting interviews with sources via phone and email. Relevant legal information, including libel law, will be discussed. Fact-checking as a career independent of copyediting also will be addressed. This course may be used to fulfill the requirements of the Certificate in Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking.This course is delivered in an online format that uses a combination of real-time, instructor-led (synchronous) video meetings and self-paced (asynchronous) learning within NYU’s online learning platform, and there are weekly deadlines for lesson and assignment completion.