CDJN 120 - Magazine Fact-Checking and Research

Course Description

Independent fact-checking happens mainly at magazines, but the skills taught in this course can be used in any medium. In the magazine business, fact-checking is a key entry-level job, a way for aspiring writers or editors to learn how a magazine works and how professional writers put together a story, and to develop relationships with editors that can lead to assignments or jobs. For writers, the more they know about what happens to an article in fact-checking, the better prepared they'll be to provide what editors want - and to protect their copy. This course looks at why magazines employ fact-checkers; how fact-checking fits into the editorial process; how to document fact-checking according to industry standards; what to check and what not to check; finding research sources and judging their authority; the fact-checking telephone interview; working with writers and editors; and legal and ethical considerations.

Notes

This course will run during the Winter break.