Fact-checking organizations out there; some of these include factcheck.org, AP Fact Check, Reuters Fact Check, and many more that are tracked by the Duke Reporters' Lab.
Fact-checking organizations out there; some of these include FactCheck.org, AP Fact Check, Reuters Fact Check, and many more that are tracked by the Duke Reporters' Lab.
The other day I was reading "The Power of News: The History of Reuters" (1992), a book about the British news agency by Donald Read. In chapter 14, the author describes one episode that interested me:
"One problem was how to handle ideology, not least at 85 Fleet Street itself. Derek Jameson has written about the small left-wing cell on the editorial floor at 85 Fleet Street in the late 1940s, of which he was himself briefly a member. ... The left-wingers numbered perhaps a dozen, of whom only three or four were Communist Party members, the rest were fellow travellers. Their leader was Lawrence Kirwan, one of the duty editors. The purge came after Frances Wheeler, one of the group, was found to have omitted an important reference to the Cold War in a speech by President Truman. ... Called to explain himself, Wheeler revealed all about the cell. There were no sackings, but the main figures were removed from positions of responsibility, and gradually left Reuters. Several reappeared working for Tass and other Communist news organisations. The obligation of all Reuter staff to maintain political non-commitment was emphasized by [Christopher] Chancellor in a letter to Kirwan, dated 24 June 1950" - and here comes the hilarious bit - "'Working for Reuters', wrote Chancellor, involved its staff 'in a form of self-discipline and self-abnegation. Those of you who feel strongly on political matters must be doubly careful in the position of trust which working for Reuters involves'" (pp. 370-71).
So, Reuters suppressed a small group, most of whom they labelled 'fellow-travellers'. This took place just prior to the onset of the Korean War. I would suggest that a few Left-wingers inside Reuters at that time might have assisted the news organisation in its fact checking. If you doubt this, I recommend you have a look at volume 2 of "The Cold War and Its Origins 1917-1960", by D. F. Fleming, especially chapter XXI: "The crucifixion of Korea 1945-1954" (pp. 598-660).
I am sceptical about so-called Fact Checks; they usually peddle their own biases, as we all do, myself included. The solution, if there is one, is to read widely and learn from others. This is my contribution to world-wide self-abnegation.
As a further example, I could add that there is a Japanese writer whose name is Tominaga Nakamoto (1715-1746). Although Japan traditonally places the family name first, in the English translation of his "A History of Japanese Literature", Sh┼лichi Kat┼Н appears to have chosen to adopt the Western convention of placing the family name last. Thus, Tominaga Nakamoto's family name seems to be 'Nakamoto'.
However, the mystery deepens. When I got myself a copy of a book by Tominaga Nakamoto (titled "Emerging from Meditation"), I found that in the preface, the translator Michael Pye addresses him as 'Tominaga'; that is, he seems to treat 'Tominaga' as the family name.
There is another reason, as well. I've found that in English-speaking countries many people are unsure where my Christian name(s) end and the Surname starts. I remove any such ambiguity by writing my Surname in capital letters.
Fact-checking organizations out there; some of these include FactCheck.org, AP Fact Check, Reuters Fact Check, and many more that are tracked by the Duke Reporters' Lab.
Keith - You mention Reuters Fact Check.
The other day I was reading "The Power of News: The History of Reuters" (1992), a book about the British news agency by Donald Read. In chapter 14, the author describes one episode that interested me:
"One problem was how to handle ideology, not least at 85 Fleet Street itself. Derek Jameson has written about the small left-wing cell on the editorial floor at 85 Fleet Street in the late 1940s, of which he was himself briefly a member. ... The left-wingers numbered perhaps a dozen, of whom only three or four were Communist Party members, the rest were fellow travellers. Their leader was Lawrence Kirwan, one of the duty editors. The purge came after Frances Wheeler, one of the group, was found to have omitted an important reference to the Cold War in a speech by President Truman. ... Called to explain himself, Wheeler revealed all about the cell. There were no sackings, but the main figures were removed from positions of responsibility, and gradually left Reuters. Several reappeared working for Tass and other Communist news organisations. The obligation of all Reuter staff to maintain political non-commitment was emphasized by [Christopher] Chancellor in a letter to Kirwan, dated 24 June 1950" - and here comes the hilarious bit - "'Working for Reuters', wrote Chancellor, involved its staff 'in a form of self-discipline and self-abnegation. Those of you who feel strongly on political matters must be doubly careful in the position of trust which working for Reuters involves'" (pp. 370-71).
So, Reuters suppressed a small group, most of whom they labelled 'fellow-travellers'. This took place just prior to the onset of the Korean War. I would suggest that a few Left-wingers inside Reuters at that time might have assisted the news organisation in its fact checking. If you doubt this, I recommend you have a look at volume 2 of "The Cold War and Its Origins 1917-1960", by D. F. Fleming, especially chapter XXI: "The crucifixion of Korea 1945-1954" (pp. 598-660).
I am sceptical about so-called Fact Checks; they usually peddle their own biases, as we all do, myself included. The solution, if there is one, is to read widely and learn from others. This is my contribution to world-wide self-abnegation.
"Read widely and learn from others." Good advice, Gunner. Why do you put your last name in all caps?
Gloria, because in some languages the surname/family name comes first.
I didn't know that, Gunnar
Yes, in Japansese, Chinese and Korean - as in MAO Zedong and KIM Il jung.
As a further example, I could add that there is a Japanese writer whose name is Tominaga Nakamoto (1715-1746). Although Japan traditonally places the family name first, in the English translation of his "A History of Japanese Literature", Sh┼лichi Kat┼Н appears to have chosen to adopt the Western convention of placing the family name last. Thus, Tominaga Nakamoto's family name seems to be 'Nakamoto'.
However, the mystery deepens. When I got myself a copy of a book by Tominaga Nakamoto (titled "Emerging from Meditation"), I found that in the preface, the translator Michael Pye addresses him as 'Tominaga'; that is, he seems to treat 'Tominaga' as the family name.
There is another reason, as well. I've found that in English-speaking countries many people are unsure where my Christian name(s) end and the Surname starts. I remove any such ambiguity by writing my Surname in capital letters.
Thank you for the info, Keith.
YouтАЩre welcome
We all need to fact check everything with as many fact checkers as possible