Top Trusted Fact-Checking Sources
Your Handy Guide to Spotting Truth from Fiction in 2025
A curated collection of trusted fact-checking resources to help Kiwis navigate the information landscape and make informed decisions.
1. PolitiFact
This absolute gem won a Pulitzer Prize! Perfect when you need to: sort fact from fiction in political statements, check claims made by politicians during elections, and understand complex policy issues. Their brilliant rating system makes it super easy to spot fibs from facts. Particularly useful during election season!
2. Snopes.com
The grandparent of fact-checking! Brilliant for: debunking those wild Facebook posts your aunty keeps sharing, checking viral stories before you share them, and investigating urban legends. They're particularly good at explaining complex topics in a way that won't make your head spin.
A proper reliable source that doesn't take sides. Fantastic for: understanding American politics (especially helpful during US elections), checking scientific claims, and getting detailed analysis of current events. Their science coverage is particularly choice!
4. Lead Stories
These clever cookies use AI to spot dodgy news before it goes viral. Brilliant for: catching breaking misinformation, fact-checking social media trends, and getting quick, reliable answers. Their rapid response makes them particularly handy during fast-moving events.
5. Washington Post Fact Checker
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker
Their cheeky Pinocchio rating system is a treat! Perfect for: deep dives into political claims, understanding international politics, and following long-term fact-checking investigations. Especially useful for following major policy debates.
6. OpenSecrets Blog
Follow the money, honey! Brilliant for: tracking political donations, understanding lobbying influence, and seeing who's backing which politicians. Particularly valuable during campaign seasons and major policy decisions.
7. Media Bias/Fact Check
https://mediabiasfactcheck.com
Your go-to for sussing out dodgy news sources. Essential for: evaluating new media outlets, understanding potential biases, and finding reliable news sources. Really helpful when you're trying to diversify your news diet!
