The History of The New Yorker's Vaunted Fact-Checking Department

This article delves into the intricate history and rigorous practice of The New Yorker's fact-checking department. It describes the meticulous, often adversarial, process of verifying information, the challenges checkers face, and the distinct personalities of editors and checkers throughout the magazine's history, from Harold Ross to Peter Canby. The piece highlights the department's unwavering dedication to accuracy, the complexities of journalistic truth, and the inherent tension between writers and their checkers, ultimately portraying fact-checking as a crucial, though sometimes frustrating, element of editorial integrity.