Buzz
From His Girl Friday to All the President's Men, the film industry has consistently been intrigued by the world of journalism. Journalists are often depicted as modern-day detectives, uncovering truths and exposing political deceit. However, the role of fact checkers remains largely unexplored. These behind-the-scenes professionals are vital to the editorial process, ensuring the accuracy of every detail in published works. Many journalists begin their careers as fact checkers, and while this Wikipedia article offers a partial list of notable individuals who once held this role, it’s worth noting the irony of referencing Wikipedia in a discussion about fact verification. Interestingly, Hollywood has occasionally shone a light on these unsung heroes. Below are three prominent films and one online video dedicated to the world of fact checking.
Shattered Glass
Shattered Glass is a must-watch for aspiring journalists. Beyond teaching crucial lessons—such as the rarity of stumbling upon groundbreaking stories and the often mundane nature of reporting—it provides an in-depth look at the editorial process in a major magazine. The film also reveals a loophole in the fact-checking system: relying solely on a reporter’s notes. Based on true events, the movie chronicles the downfall of Stephen Glass (portrayed by Hayden Christensen, known for his role as Darth Vader), a journalist at The New Republic who fabricated numerous articles. His deceit is uncovered by a rival publication, thanks to diligent fact-checking efforts. Glass’s fabrications are so blatant—such as inventing phone numbers for his sources—that his eventual exposure feels inevitable.
Portrays fact checkers as: Master sleuths akin to Sherlock Holmes
Bright Lights, Big City
During the production of the Back to the Future trilogy, Michael J. Fox took on the role of Jamie Conway in Bright Lights, Big City, a film adaptation of Jay McInerney’s novel. Conway, a fact checker at The New Yorker—often referred to as the "Vatican of fact checking"—struggles with a cocaine addiction while his personal life falls apart. His wife has left him, his mother has passed away, and he’s on the verge of losing his job. The film paints a stark picture of the challenges faced by those in the fact-checking profession, proving it’s not always as glamorous as it seems.
Portrays fact checkers as: Kate Moss
Almost Famous
Portrays fact checkers as: Angela from The Office, but even more frugal
FCU with Bill Murray
FCU with Bill Murray on FunnyOrDie.com
This humorous video, hosted on FunnyOrDie.com, portrays fact checkers in an unexpectedly thrilling light. Dressed in FCU jackets and exuding confidence, the fact checkers embark on a mission reminiscent of a spy thriller. Their goal? To verify whether Bill Murray drinks warm milk before bed. The adventure includes encounters with a covert informant posing as a hot dog vendor, scaling buildings, and even watching M*A*S*H* with Murray himself. While a simple call to Murray’s publicist could have sufficed, the over-the-top approach makes for an entertaining watch. (Note: Some content may not be suitable for work environments.)
Portrays fact checkers as: Jack Bauer
