Readers like you help support MUO. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read More. In the last few years, there’s been a lot of talk about “false news.” You may be wondering if anyone is verifying the news items that get published or broadcasted, and you can find comfort in knowing that there are fact-checkers out there. If becoming a fact-checker is something you’re interested in, you need to learn what steps are necessary to take to become one. You can work as a staff fact-checker or do it as a freelancer. Before committing to anything, knowing the education and skills required to do the job is critical. Step One: Review the Education Requirements Research the minimum level of education you need to become a fact-checker. Most fact-checkers have a bachelor’s degree; however, an associate’s degree may be considered the minimum requirement by the industry since very few fact-checkers only have a high school diploma or G.E.D. Like many careers, you increase your chances of getting hired if you have an advanced degree. If you’re starting your post-secondary education and are wondering what your major should be, you can specialize in English, Journalism, or Communications. You can also take courses in information science or fact-checking. Step Two: Gain Experience in Journalism Many skills you need to be a successful fact-checker can be developed while working as a journalist. Magazines and news broadcasters need fact-checkers to verify the information they share with their readers, listeners, or viewers. In your work in the research department of television news shows, book publishers, newspapers, or magazines, you can learn how to source and check the information from news releases and other forms of communication. If you’re still in school, you can start gaining experience by working for the school media, whether the newspaper or radio station. You can also start your own blog as a start to building your portfolio of experience in journalism. If you already have an idea of the writing area you want to focus on, you can use that as the main subject for your blog. Another great way to gain experience is to seek an internship since it’s an excellent way to network with the industry and build on your work experience. If you’re wondering where you can find internships for people that have been out of school for a while, you may be interested in adult internships to relaunch your career . Step Three: Sharpen Your Research Skills To build a successful career as a fact-checker, you should consider taking courses in information science or fact-checking. While you can develop these skills on the job while working as a journalist, it may be beneficial to take classes since it shows employers your eagerness to gain the skills necessary to be an effective fact-checker. You can take a course in fact-checking and verification from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). You can check the NCTJ […]
