Opinion Fact Checker
The New York Times
Opinion Fact Checker
The New York Times
Publishes news, sports, puzzles and recipes
The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It’s why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It’s why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it’s why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it’s worth paying for.
The New York Times Opinion section is looking for a fact-checker to work on guest essays and other work produced by Opinion, with a specific emphasis on data-driven essays. The job, which is staff-editor level, based in New York, is a great opportunity for someone who is organized, detail-oriented, experienced in applying data analysis to journalism and has broad-ranging news interests.
The fact checker must have ease in working with and analyzing complex datasets; strong quantitative and statistical reasoning skills; a devotion to the highest standards of accuracy and verification; the ability to dive into unfamiliar material on deadline; and a strong interest in both data and opinion journalism. Collegiality and diplomacy are essential.
This is an in-office position, based in New York City and includes regular attendance in the office. There may be some flexibility to work remotely per your departmental guidance.
Responsibilities:
This fact checker will perform functions that include, but are not limited to, the following:
Verify the accuracy of information and analysis contained in data-driven guest essays and other forms of opinion journalism.
Eliminating errors, ensuring fairness and accuracy and correcting contradictions and omissions.
Verifying datasets and other forms of quantitative information and analysis.
Breaking down quantitative analysis to general, non-expert readers.
Seeing the work through all stages of the publishing process.
Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
You will report to an Assistant Editor in Opinion.
Basic Qualifications:
At least 2 years of experience in statistics, public policy, data science, economics, quantitative social science or applied experience at a think-tank, non-profit or governmental statistical agency.
Experience navigating complex analyses and pushing back to question data sources and analyses.
Experience in survey research and modelling.
Data handling experience — fluency in a statistical programming language such as R or Python.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in fact-checking, writing or editing.
Experience applying data analysis in journalism.
An appreciation for Opinion journalism and understanding of the broader media landscape.
This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.
REQ-020956
Additional Compensation and Benefits:
For roles in the U.S., dependent on your role, you may be eligible for variable pay, such as an annual bonus and restricted stock. Benefits may include medical, dental and vision benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts (F.S.A.s), a company-matching 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase plan, paid vacation, paid sick days, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement and professional development programs.
For roles outside of the U.S., information on benefits will be provided during the interview process
Candidate Use of GenAI Tools:
We’re excited to learn more about you and your experience. To keep our hiring process as fair and authentic as possible, we ask that you submit your own work and not use GenAI tools to generate substantive content during the application and interview process.
If you’re an engineering candidate, we’ll let you know what specific GenAI tools you are permitted to use for your technical assessment.
The New York Times Company is committed to being the world’s best source of independent, reliable and quality journalism. To do so, we embrace a diverse workforce that has a broad range of backgrounds and experiences across our ranks, at all levels of the organization. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)’s Know Your Rights Poster is available here.
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The annual base pay range for this role is between: 113945.85 - 115000 USD
Publishes news, sports, puzzles and recipes
The New York Times Company publishes The New York Times, a daily newspaper and news site read around the world, plus subscription products such as The Athletic for sports, Wirecutter for product reviews, NYT Games, and NYT Cooking. Its 1971 publication of the Pentagon Papers, a secret government history of the Vietnam War, led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling for press freedom. Readers follow the news, play puzzles such as Wordle, and find recipes on its websites and apps. They pay for one product or a single subscription covering all of them, while advertising, Wirecutter's shopping referral fees, and the printed newspaper bring in the rest. The Times was first published in 1851, and the company is based in New York City.
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