PolitiFact Australia brings fact-checking to TV

PolitiFact Australia has signed a deal with the country’’s leading TV news network, Channel Seven, to deliver political fact-checking into the homes of millions of Australians. The site’s Truth-O-Meter ratings will air on the network in the lead-up to September’s federal election.

PolitiFact Australia is independent from Channel Seven and will maintain separate staff and management. Seven will have exclusive broadcast rights over PolitiFact Australia’s material.

PolitiFact Australia launched May 12 and is being run under a license from PolitiFact in the United States.

Network Director of News for the Seven Network Rob Raschke praised PolitiFact’s “rigour in analysis,” independence and the U.S. site’s global reputation.

“We are pleased to be working with the team at PolitiFact,” he said. “We acknowledge PolitiFact Australia’s independence and look forward to their analysis on Seven News.”

PolitiFact Australia’s Editor-in-Chief Peter Fray said fact-checking would come of age in Australia with Channel 7’s support.

“We are delighted to have Seven on board with us,” he said.

“They are totally professional, totally dedicated to their audience and totally in sync with the need to fact-check what our politicians are telling us. They won’t interfere with what we do but they will be bringing Truth-O-Meter rulings into the homes of millions of Australian voters. That’s a gutsy thing to do and I applaud their vision and commitment.”