Fact Checking and Copy Editing

Why it is important for you and the publication

What is “Copy” editing?Copy editing is simply looking over the first

draft of a story and checking for grammatical and spelling errors.

Currently, RayPecNow does this process over Google Drive.

This is also used to help give notes to the reporter on things they did well on, and stuff that needs improvement.

What to look for in editingOne of the biggest things an editor should look for is

the spelling of names. This is something a reporter should not get wrong, but you can never be too careful.

Check grammar. Is everything punctuated correctly? Did they end quotes with commas? Bad punctuation means a bad story flow.

Check spelling of other words. This should not be that big of a deal, with autocorrect helping fix spelling. But it is always good to double check.

Check for AP Style. This is especially relevant in dates, times and locations of events. If you are unsure of AP Style, check an AP Style book.

Checking the factsEditing is also a large part of fact checking.Be sure to double check all statistics when

editing stories. This can simply be done by googling the statistic you are looking for to see if it is verified or not.

Double check quotes. It is the standard that reporters get their quotes signed off after finishing them. Make sure that what they are quoting is actually said. This may sound tedious, but it helps from any potential lawsuits.

What happens if I don’t fact check?If someone is misquoted, it might seem

minor, BUT: It may damage reputation It may make that person look foolish It may be the exact opposite of what they said It makes you seem unreliable It makes the publication look bad It makes the editors look like they don’t know what

they’re doing It makes Mrs. Russ seem foolish for letting it print

What happens after that?If it is seen as reputation harming, someone

could sue YOU for libel.ALL libel charges START at 1 million dollarsIf YOU don’t have 1 million in assests, they

go to your PARENTSAfter that, it goes onto your TEACHER and

then, the SCHOOL.Libel is very serious, even a minor typo could

lead to drastic effects.

How to prevent misquotingReread your quotesDon’t write quotes down if someone is talking

to fast- then your paraphrasing and not getting all of the information. Instead, record it on your phone as a voice memo

Get the interviewees to sign off after you type up the questions and answers

MAKE SURE the source is reliable and giving factual information