PolitiFact sorts only some of the "truth" on voucher schools, leaves out key objections to program's expansion

Jay Bullock:

Back when I used to blog about politics, I was a constant critic of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's PolitiFact operation. Or, as I called it, Politi"Fact," with the emphasis on the sarcasm quotes.

Why? Because PolitiFact Wisconsin, as the local franchise is known, tries to set itself up as a neutral arbiter, and so it usually plays the "both sides do it" card. It can't be too critical of one side, even if that one side plays far more fast and loose with the facts than the other side does. (Also: there are only two sides, so the truth must lie in the middle!)

This kind of faux-neutrality is the hallmark not of fact-checkers but of a distant, entitled media, hoping to maintain an "above it all" reputation and the good graces of the folks who generously douse the state's largest media operation with significant political ad buys every couple of years.

In Monday's paper, the PolitiFact crew examines some claims made about school vouchers by groups both favoring the program's expansion (including Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker) and opposing it, claiming it is "sorting out the truth" about voucher schools. It should be no surprise that I oppose expansion, though I am not personally involved in the anti-voucher groups cited in this story.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at May 2, 2013 1:05 AM
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