To the Point
Separating Fact and Fiction: Truth and Lies in American Politics Today
In an age of political polarization, "fact checkers” vow to help voters sort fact from fiction. Can the checkers themselves be trusted? Are some questions too complicated?
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenIn this age of political polarization, "fact checkers" promise to help voters sort out the fact from the fiction. Can the fact checkers themselves be trusted? Are some questions too complicated for "right" or "wrong" answers? Will voters create their own realities whatever the "facts" might be? Also, the Taliban strikes a deal with Qatar to open a peace office. On Reporter’s Notebook, should a new violin really play second fiddle to a Stradivarius or a Guarnerius?
In this episode
3 storiesTaliban Strikes a Deal with Qatar to Open Peace Office
The Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until the US-led NATO campaign of 2001, but it's been fighting back ever since. It says it won't negotiate with the Karzai Administration until foreign troops have withdrawn. But today it announced the opening of an office in Qatar, specifically to begin talks with the United States.
Read the story7 minSeparating Fact and Fiction: Truth and Lies in American Politics Today
Nobody should be surprised when politicians distort the facts or tell outright lies. In 2007, the St. Petersburg Times introduced a feature called PolitiFact . It's complete with a "Truth-O-Meter," and a range from "True" through "Mostly True" to "Mostly False," "False" and finally, "Pants on Fire."
Read the story37 minShould New Violins Really Play Second Fiddle to the Old Masters?
Violins made centuries ago by Stradivari or Guarneri del Gesu can bring millions of dollars but do they really sound all that much better than instruments being made today?
Read the story7 min
