Denver’s KMGH-TV is not exactly a heavy hitter when it comes to factual news. To put this in perspective, Denver’s Channel 7 is the outlet that broke the story that Bob Beauprez’s 2014 gubernatorial logo featured cartoon mountains that were not found in Colorado. You know, because they were cartoons.
That’s why it’s so funny that the fact checking franchise Politifact is partnering with Channel 7 here in Denver to bring fact checking to the state. From a Politifact press release:
“The 2016 presidential race is already showing what a public service fact-checking can provide, and we’re thrilled that Scripps is willing to add more heft to the movement,” PolitiFact editor Angie Drobnic Holan said. “Scripps and their affiliates share our passion for sorting out the truth in politics and holding politicians accountable for the claims and promises they make. We can’t wait to get started.”
In addition to Colorado, Politifact also will set up shop with Scripps television affiliates in Ohio, Arizona, and Nevada – all battleground states for 2016.
It’s unclear whether Politifact will encourage KMGH-TV to increase it’s journalistic standards or whether KMGH will pull Politifact into its morass of terrible journalism. That said, after this week with 9News‘ apology to viewers after botching a Truth Test, it’s obvious that Colorado needs additional fact checking. Whether this move by Politifact will fill the void or just add to the noise remains to be seen. But, we will be watching.