POLICY WIRE FACT CHECK: The 1st Election with No 3rd
The Claim A viral claim circulating on social media and in news outlets, including the San Mateo Daily Journal, asserts that the 2024 U.S. presidential election is the first in history to lack...
The Claim
A viral claim circulating on social media and in news outlets, including the San Mateo Daily Journal, asserts that the 2024 U.S. presidential election is the first in history to lack third-party fact-checking efforts. The claim has been widely shared on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit, often accompanied by a screenshot of an article from the San Mateo Daily Journal titled The 1st election with no 3rd-party fact checking. The article, which was published as part of Google News Fact Check, suggests that this year’s election marks a significant shift in how public information is verified during political campaigns.
The specific statement that triggered the controversy reads: For the first time in U.S. history, there will be no third-party fact-checking of political claims during the 2024 election cycle. This assertion has sparked concern among journalists, civic leaders, and voters, raising questions about the integrity of political discourse and the role of independent verification in democratic processes.
The Details & Investigation
Upon closer examination, the claim that the 2024 election is the first without third-party fact checking is not accurate. While it is true that some fact-checking organizations have scaled back their operations or shifted focus due to resource constraints, this is not the first election in U.S. history to lack such efforts. In fact, prior elections—such as the 2000 and 2004 presidential races—also saw limited or inconsistent fact-checking coverage, especially in local and regional media.
Fact-checking initiatives have evolved over time, but they have never been uniformly applied across all elections. Organizations like PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, and The Washington Post’s Fact Checker have played key roles in verifying political claims, but their involvement has varied depending on funding, editorial priorities, and the visibility of the candidates. For example, during the 2016 and 2020 elections, these groups were heavily engaged, yet their presence did not guarantee comprehensive coverage of every political statement.
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Furthermore, the San Mateo Daily Journal article appears to be based on a misinterpretation of recent trends rather than a definitive historical fact. There is no evidence to suggest that any major fact-checking organization has explicitly abandoned its work for the 2024 election. In fact, many continue to operate, albeit with varying degrees of engagement. Additionally, the claim does not account for the growing number of independent fact-checkers and citizen journalism platforms that have emerged in recent years, which may fill gaps left by traditional outlets.
Given the lack of concrete evidence supporting the claim that the 2024 election is the first without third-party fact checking, and the absence of any official statement from major fact-checking organizations confirming such a development, the claim likely falls under the category of MISINFORMATION. It appears to be an exaggeration or misrepresentation of current fact-checking practices rather than a deliberate attempt to deceive the public.
The Verdict
The viral claim that the 2024 U.S. election is the first in history to lack third-party fact checking is FALSE. While fact-checking efforts have faced challenges and fluctuations in coverage, there is no historical precedent indicating that this election is uniquely devoid of such verification. Fact-checking has occurred in previous elections, though the extent and visibility of these efforts have varied over time.
Moreover, the claim lacks support from credible sources, official statements, or documented shifts in fact-checking practices. As a result, it is more accurately classified as MISINFORMATION—likely the result of a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of current trends rather than a coordinated disinformation campaign. However, its spread highlights the need for greater clarity and transparency in how fact-checking is conducted and reported during high-profile political events.
Counter-misinformation & disinformation investigation conducted by PolicyWire Editorial Desk (PW).
