Journalists often strive to hold powerful people to account. But they also tell the stories of people whose power has been taken away—those who have experienced loss, abuse, violence, marginalization, or oppression. Clearly, these two aims of journalism go hand in hand, yet they require different methodological practices, including different norms of communication and support between journalist and source. When it comes to fact-checking, the relationship between trauma, marginalization, and accuracy is especially complex. In this presentation, we address these topics head-on, drawing inspiration from the Truth in Journalism Fact-Checking Guide. The first half of the presentation focuses on a recent case study in journalism; the second half outlines general best practices for editorial fact-checking when it comes to stories about lived experience, oppression, and trauma.
Allison Baker is a co-founder of the Truth in Journalism Project and the head of research at The Walrus. From 2016-2024 she was the producer of Mi’kmaq Matters, a podcast about the Mi’kmaw people, politics, land, and water of Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland). [Full Bio]
Viviane Fairbank is a co-founder of the Truth in Journalism Project. She has written, edited, and fact-checked for The Walrus, the Globe and Mail, the Literary Review of Canada, Reader’s Digest, Historica Canada, TVO, Harper’s, and NPR. [Full Bio]
This is a two-hour presentation in two parts, separated by a refreshment and networking break.
