PolitiFact is a fact-checking newsroom founded during the 2008 U.S. presidential cycle to evaluate statements from candidates, elected officials, and political organizations. The project popularized the “Truth-O-Meter” rating scale and built a national network of reporters focused on verifying public claims with primary-source documentation.

Launch During the 2008 Campaign

The Tampa Bay Times newsroom launched PolitiFact in 2007 with a small investigative team dedicated to tracking statements from presidential candidates and rating accuracy on a six-point scale. The digital presentation emphasized searchable databases, source documents, and contextual explainers, attracting heavy traffic during debates and televised campaign events.

National Expansion and Local Partnerships

After winning the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting, PolitiFact expanded into state-level franchises in partnership with regional newspapers and public media outlets. These bureaus covered gubernatorial races, legislative sessions, and ballot initiatives while feeding fact-checks back to the central database.

Truth-O-Meter Methodology

Each fact-check includes a summary statement, supporting evidence, and a Truth-O-Meter ruling ranging from “True” to “Pants on Fire.” The organization publishes methodology guides, maintains a corrections archive, and invites outside review through the International Fact-Checking Network code of principles.

Platform and Technology Collaborations

PolitiFact syndicates structured data feeds of its ratings to technology companies and researchers studying misinformation. The newsroom joined Facebook’s fact-checking program in 2016, providing ratings that trigger warning labels and reach reductions for misleading posts. PolitiFact also contributes to Google and YouTube data pipelines that surface fact-check context alongside trending claims.

Coverage During Public Health Emergencies

During the COVID-19 pandemic, PolitiFact assembled rapid response teams to vet claims about vaccines, treatments, and public health guidance. The site launched a Coronavirus Facts page, created Spanish-language explainers, and coordinated with health experts to update rulings as scientific understanding evolved.