Websites

Charity ratings

Associations & Organizations

Charity Watch. (2019). Charity ratings [website]. Retrieved from https://charitywatch.org/charities.

Description: This resource, parented by an independent nonprofit, began back in 1992, and it researches the efficiency, accountability, and governance of nonprofit organizations. It aims to expose wasteful and unethical charities, and it spotlights top ethical charities. It specializes in analyzing financial reports, and, uniquely, it rates social welfare groups, and religious charities as well.

Use: Use Charity Watch to see where an organization you are learning about, investing in, or becoming involved with stands by its methodology.

Access: This resource is free for use through a preferred internet browser from any computer in the United States, and beyond.

PolitiFact

Fact-Checking, Politics on the Internet

The Poynter Institute. (2019). PolitiFact [website]. Retrieved from https://politifact.com.

Description: This nonprofit-owned investigative team rates political statements for accuracy based on their independent news expertise and then awards them a score on a “truthometer.”

Why I trust it: Politifact’s core values include: thorough reporting, independence, transparency, and fairness. PolitiFact does not accept donations from political parties, elected officials, candidates seeking public office, or anonymous sources.

Use: This organization has only been fact-checking since 2007, but it has since gained a reputation for unbiased investigation into the truth (or lack thereof) of political statements. Use it to gain some perspective on political entities on all sides.

Access: Politifact is free for use through a preferred internet browser from any computer in the United States, and beyond.

Snopes

Fact-Checking, Fake News, Scams & Hoaxes

Snopes. (2019). Fact check [website]. Retrieved from https://snopes.com/fact-check.

Description: Snopes’ fact checking feature offers an archive of investigated rumors and questionable claims.

Why I trust it: The oldest and largest online fact-checking site, Snopes’ contextualized analysis uses evidence-based practices to fact-check the media. The company has been independently verified by the International Fact Checking Network, and, in the spirit of truth-seeking, it invites skepticism and challengers. The fact-checkers attempt to contact sources for interviews and seek out supporting information. They consult experts, and each fact-check travels through multiple staffers.

Use: Reading something you suspect could be fake? Pop keywords into the search bar to see if it’s been investigated.

Access: Users can access this column using a preferred internet browser from any computer in the United States, and beyond.

Politico

Fact-Checking, Politics on the Internet

Politico. (2019). Is it true? A fake news database [website]. Retreived from https://www.politico.com/interactives/2018/is-this-true.

Description: People send in suspected hoaxes, doctored images, and fake websites. Then, Politico’s team works to determine the truth.

Why I trust it: Politico’s mission is to provide its audience with accurate, nonpartisan information. In 2012, the Poynter Institute found that about the same percentage of Politico readers identify as democrat as do those that identify as republican.

Use: Reading something you suspect could be fake? Pop keywords into this Politico database to see if it’s been investigated. If not, visit the “about the project” link for a submission form.

Access: Users can access this column using a preferred internet browser from any computer in the United States, and beyond.

Fact checker

Fact-Checking

Kessler, G. (2019). Fact checker: The truth behind the rhetoric [column]. Retrieved from https://washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker.  

Description: This column, based on sound news media principles, is authored by professional fact checker Glenn Kessler and his colleagues Salvador Rizzo and Meg Kelly. Its goal is to fact check the statements of political figures and weed through political rhetoric. The authors also investigate answers to questions submitted by readers.

Why I trust it: Glenn Kessler is an award-winning journalist whose career spans decades. His fact-checking team analyzes political statements on both the left and right, and they do so without inserting opinion. The column appears in the national-news section of The Post, seperate from the editorial or opinion sections. Also, members of the team are not permitted to engage in partisan political activity or make contributions to candidates or advocacy organizations.

Use: Use this resource to fill in missing context in political statements and get a more comprehensive, unbiased picture of topics mentioned by politicians.

Access: Users can access this column using a preferred internet browser from any computer in the United States, and beyond.

ProCon.org

Current Issues, Politics on the Internet

ProCon.org. (2019). ProCon.org: Pros and cons of controversial issues [website]. Retrieved from https://www.procon.org.

Description: This informational website is a collection of 70 controversial issues.

Why I trust it: ProCon.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan public organization with a mission to promote critical thinking and informed citizenship. It was awarded a platinum rating by the nonprofit reviewer Guidestar.

Use: When you hear or read about a controversial current issue or event, you can use this website to understand major points on both sides of the topic.

Access: Users can access this website using a preferred internet browser from any computer in the United States, and beyond.