Q: Were three Democratic state senators arrested in New Jersey for running a prostitution ring? A: No. The senators named in the story don’t even exist. FULL ANSWER Sixty-three cases of sex trafficking were reported in the state of New Jersey in
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Climate Feedback→ Most popular climate change stories of 2017 reviewed by scientists
SUMMARY Many stories were written about climate science in 2017, but were the ones that “went viral” scientifically accurate? To find out, we compiled a list of articles with the most comments, shares, and likes on social networks using data from
Climate Feedback→ National Geographic video of starving polar bear should have clarified uncertain link to climate change
SCIENTISTS’ FEEDBACK SUMMARY This widely-shared December 2017 article at National Geographic featured emotional footage of a starving polar bear, highlighting the plight of polar bears as the extent of Arctic sea ice declines. Scientists who r
Climate Feedback→ New York Times effectively informs readers about large Larsen C iceberg calving event
SCIENTISTS’ FEEDBACK SUMMARY This July 2017 article in The New York Times described a remarkable iceberg calving event at Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf. Scientists who reviewed the article found it to be essentially accurate and informativ
Climate Feedback→ Atlantic story on the climate implications of reduced beef consumption could provide clearer context
SCIENTISTS’ FEEDBACK SUMMARY This August 2017 article in The Atlantic covered a study of the greenhouse gas emissions that could be avoided if beef consumption was reduced in the United States. Beef is a particularly resource-intensive food, d
Climate Feedback→ Futurism story on Great Barrier Reef compromised by sensational headline
SCIENTISTS’ FEEDBACK SUMMARY This April 2017 story at Futurism describes a statement released by James Cook University’s ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies on bleaching along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Bleaching occurs wh
FactCheck.org→ Bogus Claim on Mosque Raid
Q: Were 11 would-be terrorists arrested in a late-night raid at a mosque? A: No. The FBI confirmed that there has been no such raid. FULL QUESTION Late Night Raid On Michigan Mosque Nets 11 ISIS Terrorists and More Than 40 Vests True story or not? FUL
Snopes→ H&M to Release ‘Equally Racist’ Collection as Apology to Blacks?
Social media users began posting images of children wearing "Equally Racist" shirts after a satire web site created them.
Snopes→ Facing Critics, Facebook Wants Feeds to Be More ‘Meaningful’
The social networking giant says users will see fewer posts from brands, pages and media companies, and more from people.
FactCheck.org→ Freeman Didn’t Say ‘Lock Her Up’
Q: Did actor Morgan Freeman say that Hillary Clinton should be jailed? A: No. He has donated to Democrats and endorsed Clinton for president in 2016. FULL ANSWER Morgan Freeman endorsed Hillary Clinton for president in 2016. But, in October, a websi
Truth or Fiction?→ Federal Agents Raid Mosque in Michigan, Arrest ISIS Combatants -Fiction!
Federal Agents Raid Mosque in Michigan, Arrest ISIS Combatants –Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Federal agents raided a mosque outside Dearborn, Michigan, in January 2018 and arrested 11 ISIS combatants. The Truth: A website that describes its conten
FactCheck.org→ Bogus Black Lives Matter Stories Won’t Die
Q: Were a dozen or more women found dead in a freezer with “Black Lives Matter” carved in them? A: No. Versions of that false story have been circulating online for almost two years. FULL ANSWER Different versions of an internet hoax that
Truth or Fiction?→ Essential Oils Are Harmful to Cats and Small Animals -Truth!
Essential Oils Are Harmful to Cats and Small Animals –Truth! Summary of eRumor: Essential oils can kill cats and mall animals. Social media posts warn those with cats to avoid certain essential oils. The Truth: Exposure to essential oils can be
FactCheck.org→ Cornyn’s ‘Generous’ Immigration Claim
Texas Sen. John Cornyn says the U.S. is “the most generous country in the world when it comes to legal immigration.” It’s true that the U.S. gives permanent legal status and citizenship to more immigrants than other industrialized nations
Snopes→ Yes, Joanna Gaines from ‘Fixer Upper’ Is Pregnant
Joanna and Chip Gaines, stars of the home improvement reality TV show, made the announcement on social media.
Truth or Fiction?→ Bill and Hillary Clinton’s House Fire Destroys Hard Drives, Servers-Fiction!
Bill and Hillary Clinton’s House Fire Destroys Hard Drives, Servers-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: A fire at Bill and Hillary Clinton’s mansion in Chappaqua, New York, destroyed a room full of hard drivers and servers sought by the FBI. The
FactCheck.org→ No Cash, No Corpses for Made-up Mayor
Q: Did a Democratic mayor in Missouri have a storage locker holding cash and dead bodies? A: No. The story is entirely made-up — the town it names doesn’t even exist. FULL ANSWER Missouri has more than 1,000 cities, towns and villages, a
Truth or Fiction?→ Cross Does Not Burn in Southern California Wildfires-Truth!
Cross Does Not Burn in Southern California Wildfires-Truth! Summary of eRumor: Inspiring images show a cross that did not burn in Southern California wildfires in December 2017. The Truth: Images of a cross that did not burn in Southern California wild
Truth or Fiction?→ Photo Shows DACA Recipients Burning American Flag-Fiction!
Photo Shows DACA Recipients Burning American Flag-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: A photo supposedly showing DACA recipients burning an American flag has led some to question why DACA recipients want amnesty in the first place. The Truth: This photo shows
Snopes→ False ‘Iranian Protest’ Videos Surface Online
Some social media users attempted to pass off footage from past demonstrations and other countries.
FactCheck.org→ Muslims Aren’t Banned From Government
Q: Did the U.S. Supreme Court uphold a law banning Muslims from serving in government? A: No. There is no such law. Two Muslims currently serve in the U.S. Congress. FULL ANSWER The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the freedom of
Truth or Fiction?→ 7 Women Dead From Inhaling Scents, Perfume Samples Sent by Mail-Fiction!
7 Women Dead From Smelling Deadly Perfume Samples Sent by Mail-Fiction! Summary of eRumor: Warnings that seven women were dead after sniffing perfume samples sent by mail have been circulating since early 2002. The Truth: Although warnings about seven
Truth or Fiction?→ George Soros Suffers Massive Heart Attack While Visiting Hungary-Fiction!
George Soros Suffers Massive Heart Attack While Visiting Hungary-Reported as Fiction! Summary of eRumor: George Soros suffered a massive heart attack while visiting Hungary on Christmas Eve. The Truth: There aren’t any credible sources to back up
Snopes→ Los Angeles Psychologist Claims Credit for Horse Manure Delivered to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin
Robert Strong, an employee of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, took responsibility for the Christmas Eve stunt via social media.
Snopes→ 2018’s ‘Amazing’ Calendar
A social media image highlighting a supposedly "amazing" aspect to the 2018 calendar is neither amazing nor accurate.
FactCheck.org→ Train Crash Claims Are Off The Rails
Q: Was a Muslim man arrested for causing a passenger train to crash in Washington state? A: No. Officials are still investigating the cause of the crash and have made no arrests. FULL ANSWER An Amtrak train that crashed on its way from Seattle to Po
FactCheck.org→ Train Crash Claims Are Off The Rails
Q: Was a Muslim man arrested for causing a passenger train to crash in Washington state? A: No. Officials are still investigating the cause of the crash and have made no arrests. FULL ANSWER An Amtrak train that crashed on its way from Seattle to Po
Truth or Fiction?→ Letter from Mark, the Director of Facebook: Facebook to Begin Charging- Fiction!
Letter from Mark, the Director of Facebook: Facebook to Begin Charging- Fiction! Summary of eRumor: A letter from Mark, the director of Facebook, informs the social media platform’s users that Facebook will begin charging. The Truth: The so-calle
FactCheck.org→ More Claims of Alabama Voter Fraud
Q: Were illegal voters bused in to Alabama to swing the election to Doug Jones? Were thousands of fraudulent votes recorded for him? A: Those claims were made by self-described “satirical” websites. The Alabama Secretary of State says ther
FactCheck.org→ More Claims of Alabama Voter Fraud
Q: Were illegal voters bused in to Alabama to swing the election to Doug Jones? Were thousands of fraudulent votes recorded for him? A: Those claims were made by self-described “satirical” websites. The Alabama Secretary of State says ther
Snopes→ Facebook to Downrank Posts that Ask You to Like or Share
The social network announced an algorithm change targeting "engagement bait."
FactCheck.org→ Phony Pelosi Harassment Story
Q: Is Rep. Nancy Pelosi planning to step down amid sexual harassment allegations? A: No. There have been no such claims made publicly against Pelosi. FULL ANSWER Allegations of sexual harassment have already felled at least one U.S. senator and two
FactCheck.org→ Phony Pelosi Harassment Story
Q: Is Rep. Nancy Pelosi planning to step down amid sexual harassment allegations? A: No. There have been no such claims made publicly against Pelosi. FULL ANSWER Allegations of sexual harassment have already felled at least one U.S. senator and two
FactCheck.org→ Medicare, Cancer and the Tax Bill
Q: Is it true that under the GOP tax bill, Medicare will stop covering cancer treatment? A: No. Nothing about the tax bill would end cancer treatment benefits. Increased deficits could lead to Medicare spending cuts, however. FULL QUESTION There is a
PolitiFact→ We started fact-checking in partnership with Facebook a year ago today. Here's what we've learned
A year ago today, PolitiFact joined a coalition of fact-checkers who agreed to work with Facebook to try to slow the spread of misinformation in people’s news feeds. The update is we’re making progress, but at a rate that probably isn&rsquo
Truth or Fiction?→ Doug Jones Received 5,327 Votes in Town with 1,867 Registered Voters -Unproven!
Doug Jones Received 5,327 Votes in Town with 1,867 Registered Voters –Unproven! Summary of eRumor: Following Democrat Doug Jones’ upset win in an Alabama Senate special election race in December 2017, rumors spread on social media that Jo
Truth or Fiction?→ Sen. John McCain Votes to End Cancer Treatments for Medicare Beneficiaries -Mostly Fiction!
Sen. John McCain Votes to End Cancer Treatments for Medicare Beneficiaries-Mostly Fiction! Summary of eRumor: U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), while undergoing taxpayer-funded cancer treatments, voted to end cancer treatments for Medicare beneficiaries. T
FactCheck.org→ Fake Report of Voter Fraud in Alabama
Q: Did voters in Alabama’s special Senate election get “caught voting multiple times with fake IDs”? A: No. The Alabama Secretary of State’s office has received no such report. FULL ANSWER Alabama elected its first Democratic
Truth or Fiction?→ Infinite Wisdom of Founding Fathers: Electoral College vs Popular Vote Numbers-
Infinite Wisdom of Founding Fathers: Electoral College vs Popular Vote Numbers- Summary of eRumor: A commentary making the rounds on Facebook describes the “infinite wisdom” of the founding fathers in establishing the electoral college. It
FactCheck.org→ False Stories About Roy Moore Accusers
Q: Did Roy Moore accusers “Mary Lynne Davies” and “Harley Hannah” lie? Did Beverly Young Nelson admit she “forged” a yearbook message from Moore? A: No. The first two names are not among Moore’s accusers. And Nelson said she added a dat