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 Personalizing Prescription Drug Coverage
WLVT  Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
clip run time » 6:12
Prescription drugs are a perennial issue in campaigns across the country. Reporter Jeff Chirico combines the Truth Check approach with a very personal story of an older couple facing high monthly prescription costs. It's a nice way to present the issue in a way that viewers can relate to, then investigate details of the politicians proposed plans to see what will work.
Letter Supporting Uniquely Qualified Candidate
KTNV  Las Vegas, Nevada
clip run time » 1:48
Your stations truth check series can be used to clarify other aspects of the campaign besides advertisments. In Nevada, the governor sent out a letter in support of a state candidate. Reporter Michael Geeser explains that although such endorsement isn't unusual, seven identical letters were sent on behalf of seven other candidates.
Property Tax Levies Made Clear
KING  Seattle, Washington
clip run time » 3:08
Ballot measures are often difficult issues for voters to understand, and anything to do with budgets can often have viewers tuning out. Reporter Robert Mak takes a close look at proposed property tax levies in Washington school districts. Supporters claimed that tax rates would drop if the levies passed, and Mak finds a way to explain clearly whether this is true.
SUV Regulations Truth Check
CNN  Washington, D.C.
clip run time » 3:11
The auto industry (and environmental groups) ran several ads with claims regarding new regulations for SUVs being considered by the Senate. This issue is a good example of something that affects many Americans everyday, but the science and politics can be complicated. Brooks Jackson fact-checks the claims (will increased fuel efficiency really cost lives?).
Enrons Ken Lay Talks
CNN Washington, D.C.
clip run time » 3:18
A stroke of good fortune turned up some library tape of Ken Lay talking about corporate managers knowing what their subordinates do. With this and other file tape, Brooks Jackson creates a news piece that looks at Lays public statements regarding Enrons status. It's an extension of the truth-check idea, and can be an effective way of reporting on the stories behind the news.
Enron 401k Truth Check
CNN Washington, D.C.
clip run time » 3:24
When the bankruptcy of Enron hit the news, there developed a perception that employees affected by the loss of their 401k investments didnt have control over their money. In this piece, CNNs Brooks Jackson takes a closer look at the actual level of employee choice. He finds that some news truths are not as simple as they might seem, and provides a great example of fact-checking issues in the news.
Alaska National Wildlife Refuge Truth Check
CNN Washington, D.C.
clip run time » 3:16
Truth checks can extend beyond campaign coverage. When issues gets confusing, as in the debate over oil-drilling in Alaska, a reporter can shed some light on whats factual.
Candidate Ads in Debates (Baldwin & Sharpless)
Wisconsin Public Television : Madison, Wisconsin
air date » 3.Nov.00
clip run time » 4:33
Want to see candidates back up their campaign messages? Use their political commercials as part of a debate. Wisconsin Public Television asked Rep. Tammy Baldwin and challenger John Sharpless to explain and defend their ads in this segment from Weekend. It achieves the objective of both associating the candidates with their ads, and allows them to clarify positions that may be misstated by their opponents.
Governors Inaugural Address Truth Check
KING Seattle, Washington
air date » Apr.01
clip run time » 3:01
Seattles KING-5 is infusing the truth check idea throughout their political coverage. Branded as Reality Check, the ongoing assessment of politicians claims takes an interesting form in this clip by reporter Robert Mak. Taking statements from re-elected governor Gary Lockes Inaugural Addess, Mak compares Lockes legislation wishlist with the actual achievements of the Washington legislature in the first four months of his new term.
Unfinished Business/Can They Do It?: Housing & Schools
WNBC New York, New York
air date » 3-7.Sep.01
Schools run time » 5:24
Housing run time » 10:17
In the week before the New York Mayoral primary, WNBC ran five expanded segments covering issues important to voters. Political reporter Jay DeDapper and government affairs reporter Melissa Russo teamed up on each piece. They begin by describing through personal stories a particular piece of unfinished business (these clips feature improving schools and creating affordable housing; they also did welfare, public safety, and jobs/economy). This is followed with statements by each of the six candidates, declaring how they would solve the problem. The reporters then evaluate the feasibility of these campaign claims. Its an effective way of combining citizen voices and truth checks in an issues piece.
[DeDapper notes that compared to the previous week, ratings were up in this quarter-hour. For the week, the show averaged a full rating point higher.]
How Accurate Are Debate Arguments?
CNN Washington, D.C.
air date » Oct.00
clip run time » 3:27
CNNs Brooks Jackson has practically trademarked the idea of truth-testing every angle of the campaigns. Here he reviews the statements made by Bush and Gore during the first presidential debate of 2000, weighing the accuracy of their claims.
You could examine any part of a local debate, from specific numbers to general statements (e.g., in this clip, Gores I have actually not questioned Governor Bushs experience.) Does your station rebroadcast debates? Why not get more mileage the second time around by adapting the debate footage into a special program, complete with truth-testing of the candidates?
Gore and Bush Quibble Over Details
CNN Washington, D.C.
clip run time » 3:31
Brooks Jackson runs ad watches on health care commercials produced by the Gore and Bush campaigns. He goes further, showing how the messages put out by those staffs in press releases and other documents are sometimes misleading or exaggerated.
Truth Check Using Candidate Free Time
WFLA Tampa, Florida
air date » 25.Aug.00
clip run time » 3:04
WFLA used their mandated free-time for candidates as opportunities for truth checks. In this example, the 5:30 News ran a taped three-minute statement by a candidate for Education Commissioner. For the 11 oclock News, a follow-up piece clarified some of the points made by the candidate. This strategy could be used as a pure test of the claims made by the candidate, or in this case as a way to explain or give fuller background to particular issues raised.
Fact-Checking Campaign Trail Claims
Rochester, New York
air date » Sep.00
clip run time » 1:35
WOKR reported on differing statistics used by the Hillary Clinton and Rick Lazio campaigns in the New York Senate race. Clarifying the numbers, one issue at a time (here, upstate job growth) is manageable for both viewers and reporters.
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