PolitiFact: "PolitiFact is not biased--here's why" (Intro) (Updated)

On Nov. 6, 2018, PolitiFact published an article declaring itself "not biased," suggesting with the tail end of the title ("here's why") that it could support the declaration with evidence.

We welcome PolitiFact's better-late-than-never response to its critics. But we find the proffered reasoning incredibly weak. If the argument from PolitiFact Editor Angie Drobnic Holan addresses any item from our list of arguments helping show PolitiFact's leftward lean it does so obliquely at best.

At the risk of using a pile driver to squash a gnat, we will address each of Holan's arguments in a series of posts. As we complete each part of the series we will add a hotlink to the corresponding list of arguments from Holan and PolitiFact.

Just click a claim from PolitiFact to see our answers to Holan's arguments.

1. We fact-check inaccurate statements, not political parties.

2. We follow the facts, not fact-check count formulas.

3. We make mistakes sometimes, but we correct our errors promptly.

4. Reader support allows us to stay independent.

 

PolitiFact Editor Angie Drobnic Holan

 

Update, With Conclusion (Nov. 9, 2018)

We have completed adding links to articles debunking each of PolitiFact's supposed reasons supporting its claim of being unbiased.

In summary, we think the purpose of Holan's article was not to put forward a serious argument. The article was ad copy designed to support an appeal for reader support.

It was PolitiFlack. Item No. 4 emphasizes the point.