Detroit Free Press/Politifact

The Detroit Free Press primarily covers three counties in southeast Michigan, including robust coverage of the city of Detroit. Founded in 1831, it’s the oldest business in Detroit. Its role is to serve as watchdog and community convener. PolitiFact is a nonprofit newsroom housed at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida and is devoted to fact-checking American politics. Its mission is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy.

Current Position

Location: Detroit, Michigan

Beat: Fact-checking of Michigan politicians during election season and beyond

Position:

After Politifact and the Detroit Free Press furiously factchecked claims made during and after the 2020 elections and for months after Election Day, this beat has shown the deep need for nonpartisan factchecking in Michigan. The two organizations will continue that work, factchecking public officials across the state on a range of issues as well as claims made by candidates in upcoming Detroit City elections. A Michigan-based PolitiFact reporter will continue to be based with the Free Press and have the opportunity to work closely with editors in Detroit and at PolitiFact. This beat will also include reporting on politics in Michigan, including the state's new redistricting commission, tasked with redrawing political boundaries after the 2020 census.

Reporter: Clara Hendrickson