The UK’s independent fact-checking charity Full Fact is recruiting a Journalist to be part of its editorial team, on a 6–12 month fixed-term contract.

If you’re a journalist who cares about tackling misinformation, this is an exciting opportunity to help us fact-check false and misleading claims and put reliable evidence at the heart of public debate.

About The Role

You’ll primarily focus on fact-checking online claims, whether on social media or from AI chatbots, but will also support our other fact-checking work. You’ll cover everything from hoax posts on Facebook to the latest claims from Westminster, and will have the opportunity to make a measurable difference, learn new skills and have your work seen by millions. You’ll help us monitor online misinformation, research and write fact checks and learn how to identify and expose patterns in misinformation.

You’ll also be working with the wider Full Fact team – for example, helping our AI team to explore new ways of using technology more effectively in our editorial process, and informing our policy and communications work – and will help build our links with other organisations and experts.

If you are interested in applying but are not sure you have all the skills, please do apply. We are open both to supporting learning on the job and to rearranging tasks within the team to suit the skillsets of the best applicant.

Job Definition

You’ll be one of the journalists who are the backbone of our Editorial team, working in a team of four, primarily focusing on online misinformation and fact-checking breaking news. You may also help us fact-check political claims and support our other editorial work.

You’ll be responsible for spotting, exposing and debunking misleading claims, writing a number of fact checks each week, and will also be expected to write other content as required.

We’re looking for candidates with some journalism experience and a good understanding of what we do, but prior fact-checking experience isn’t necessary. You will need to be able to quickly master and explain tricky, nuanced topics in clear, concise copy—and must have an eye for a story.

Outcomes

• Monitoring for misinformation on social media and elsewhere online with the help of Full Fact’s AI tools, ensuring we can quickly identify the most harmful viral claims
• Pitching fact checks based on a good understanding of the misinformation landscape and Full Fact’s aims
• Producing accurate, engaging and publication-ready copy to tight deadlines
• Ensuring we hit agreed output targets, including for Third Party Fact Checking
• Improving our understanding of online misinformation and what can be done to combat its spread
• Engaging with other teams to further the work of Full Fact
• Developing contacts, subject knowledge and expertise across the online and politics domains
• As required, supporting Full Fact’s wider editorial work to produce fact checks and explainers, calling out bad and promoting good information respectively

What We Are Looking For From You:

Political impartiality and sensitivity: You are committed to the political neutrality of our work and have a good understanding of impartiality (please see the rules on our website)
Understanding of public debate in the UK and sensitivity to the political context we work in

Job skills/competencies

• Strong research and writing skills, preferably with professional experience as a journalist
• An understanding of what it takes to meet the highest standards of accuracy and balance
• An ability to understand and master new topics rapidly
• Strong understanding of public debate in the UK and sensitivity to the political context Full Fact works in
• Communication skills, and a track record of communicating with a non-specialist audience in any format
• Ability to hit tight deadlines and respond rapidly to breaking news
• Good understanding of social media and the way in which information and misinformation spreads online
• An understanding of Full Fact’s styles and principles
• Understanding of digital channels, audiences and formats
• Experience using technology to support editorial work, and/or an interest in experimenting with new ways of using technology
• Experience of using OSINT and online verification techniques is preferred but not essential

What We Offer

• Starting salary of £27,234 – £35,000 pro-rata per annum, depending on experience.
• Workplace Pension
• Generous holidays
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
  In addition, we do not work for a period between Christmas and New Year.
  Day off for moving home.
  Comfortable, centrally located London office with good transport links.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our core working hours are 9am to 5pm, though we do occasionally work different shifts as required.

How To Apply

Upload your CV and cover letter using the link below by 10am on Tuesday 30 June. Please mention Journo Resources when you apply, it really helps us out.

Our recruitment platform will remove identifying details such as email addresses to allow us to sift applications anonymously.

Before applying, please read the requirements we place on staff to protect Full Fact’s independence and non-partisanship.