The Melody is collaborating with Gigafact, a nonprofit dedicated to fact-checking

The Macon Melody is partnering with Gigafact, a non-partisan nonprofit that helps local newsrooms respond to common questions and rumors, to publish short fact checks of local and statewide claims online.

These stories, clocking in at 150 words or less, are called “fact briefs” and will consist of clear “yes” or “no” answers to claims made in the Macon community and throughout the state of Georgia.

Questions can be about anything — high-speed rail plans, jail expansions, restaurants opening or closing — and can be found in Facebook comments, Reddit posts, public comments made in local meetings and more. The Melody uses reputable sources online and in the community, past reporting and public records to fact-check claims.

Claims are most often sourced by The Melody’s staff but can also be submitted to The Melody through the tipline at the bottom of this story. If you find a claim online or hear one during a meeting, submit it to The Melody. Reporters can directly respond to your submissions and publish fact briefs answering your questions.

You can read The Melody’s first fact brief, about the possibility of high-speed rail in Macon, here.