SciCheck writer Vanessa Schipani recently appeared on Undark magazine’s podcast to discuss her recent article on the effect of media violence on children.
SciCheck Featured on Undark’s Podcast
Month: April 2018
Gun Control March Not Planned ‘Months’ Ago
Q: Was a permit application for the March for Our Lives rally filed “several months” before the event on March 24?
A: No. A Washington, D.C., police officer erroneously used that language in an email exchange. Officials say the permits were requested in late February.
The Stats on Border Apprehensions
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said monthly border apprehensions have returned to “previous levels” since dropping significantly after President Donald Trump took office. We look at the long-term statistics.
Q&A: The Death Penalty for Drug Trafficking?
The Trump administration’s initiative to combat the opioid epidemic aims to reduce drug demand, curtail illicit drug supply and expand addiction treatment. But the aspect that garnered headlines was President Trump’s repeated emphasis on seeking the death penalty for drug traffickers. We answer several key questions on the topic.
Trump’s Amazon Attack
In his latest attack on Amazon, President Donald Trump made some unsupported and distorted claims about the U.S. Postal Service and its relationship with the giant online retailer.
David Hogg at School During Parkland Shooting
Q: Was David Hogg at home during the February school shooting in Florida?
A: No. Hogg recorded videos from inside the school during the shooting and a teacher confirmed that he was there at the time.
Vote for Us
The midterm elections are seven months away, but voting for the Webby People’s Voice award already has begun.
ATF Rulings on ‘Bump Stocks’
Q: Did the Obama administration legalize “bump stocks” for semiautomatic rifles?
A: No federal law explicitly addresses “bump stocks.” The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ruled 10 times between 2008 and 2017 that certain models could not be prohibited under existing gun laws.
FactChecking Trump’s Immigration Tweets
President Donald Trump fired off a flurry of immigration-related tweets beginning on Easter morning, but his messages included muddled and inaccurate claims.
It’s International Fact-Checking Day
Today, April 2, is the second annual International Fact-Checking Day. To mark the occasion, we’ve answered several questions from our readers about fact-checking.