Fact or Fiction: 3 Fact-Checking Websites

Remember Robin Williams' brilliant plan for peace and immigration? ..... No? Maybe that's because he never had one. Nevertheless, a complex piece of fiction, circulated the web for days, showcasing "facts" about Williams' alleged political "policies". How many people today, still think he said those things?

The web can be a dangerous place. About a year ago, I wrote a piece (More Racist Propaganda), busting a ridiculous and poorly written tale about a white guy named William Lynch. He had apparently written some lengthy, hateful rhetoric about Blacks in the 18^th century. After a minimal amount of fact-checking, this ridiculous piece of fiction was proven fake. Once again, that didn't stop some from using the Lynch letter as fuel to incite hard feelings among Blacks.

Fact or Fiction?

Before you forward, comment on or write an article about something floating around on the web, do a fact-check. Busting a myth before it busts you saves you much embarrassment. As a writer, it is also your responsibility to decipher between fact and fiction.

Fact or Fiction? - Ask Snopes.com

If it sounds farfetched, it probably is. For every Urban Legend, there is Snopes.com. Fact-checking urban legends is easy on Snopes.com. Not only does Snopes.com bust these works of fiction, they also explain their origins, while often providing comprehensive source lists.

Fact or Fiction? - Ask Truthorfiction.com

This "email reality check" website helps spread truth by busting eRumors, i.e. inspirational warnings, health alerts, virus warnings and funny stories. Truthorfiction.com doesn't just bust the myth, they also cite their stuff. Still think microwaving food in plastic containers will cause cancer? Let truthorfiction.com show you the facts.

Fact or Fiction? - Ask Factcheck.org

For facts on more serious matters, namely political ones, factcheck.org is a great place to start. A non-partisan, non-profit organization, those at factcheck.org claim only to monitor the factual accuracy of a candidate's comments via speeches, press conferences, debates and TV ads.