Robert Farley is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Deputy Managing Editor at FactCheck.org, where he leads investigations into political misinformation. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in dissecting claims made by U.S. policymakers and analyzing military strategy’s historical roots.
Robert Farley’s journalism career spans over two decades, marked by a steadfast commitment to truth-seeking and public accountability. Beginning as a reporter at the St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times), Farley honed his investigative skills on stories ranging from healthcare disparities to political misconduct. His 2008 investigation into the overprescription of antipsychotic drugs to children earned a Casey Medal, showcasing his ability to blend data-driven analysis with human-centered storytelling.
“Fact-checking isn’t just about correcting errors—it’s about restoring clarity to public discourse.”
In 2008, Farley joined PolitiFact, where he contributed to the team that won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting. This pivotal role cemented his reputation as a meticulous verifier of political claims, a skill he later brought to FactCheck.org in 2011 as Deputy Managing Editor. At FactCheck.org, Farley has dissected misinformation across presidential administrations, from Trump’s tax cut rhetoric to Biden’s impeachment inquiry defenses.
This analysis scrutinizes Republican claims that Hunter Biden’s business associate, Devon Archer, provided evidence of Joe Biden’s involvement in his son’s ventures. Farley methodically debunks the narrative by cross-referencing hearing transcripts with financial records, demonstrating how selective quoting distorted Archer’s testimony. The article became a critical reference for media outlets covering the impeachment inquiry, underscoring Farley’s role as a neutral arbiter in polarized political debates.
Farley dismantles GOP allegations that a $200,000 payment from James Biden to his brother Joe constituted a kickback. By tracing the transaction’s timeline and contextualizing it within loan repayment documentation, he reveals how lawmakers omitted exculpatory details. The piece exemplifies his ability to simplify complex financial dealings for public consumption—a skill honed during his early career covering healthcare finance.
In this departure from pure fact-checking, Farley analyzes the strategic legacy of World War II’s Guadalcanal Campaign and its implications for modern U.S.-Solomon Islands relations. Blending historical research with contemporary geopolitical insights, he argues that understanding past military decisions is crucial to navigating current Pacific alliances. The article reflects his dual expertise in military history and policy analysis.
Farley prioritizes claims made by high-profile figures (e.g., presidents, congressional leaders) that have permeated mainstream media. For example, his 2020 series Trump on the Stump fact-checked 46 misleading statements in five days. Pitches should identify specific assertions that lack empirical support, particularly those related to elections, legislation, or ethics investigations. Avoid speculative op-ed angles; instead, highlight verifiable data discrepancies.
His work for The Diplomat and Foreign Policy reveals a niche in analyzing historical military strategy’s modern applications. Successful pitches might explore topics like the F-35 program’s budget debates or NATO’s evolving role in Eastern Europe. Farley favors proposals that connect archival research (e.g., declassified documents) to current procurement decisions or alliance dynamics.
While Farley occasionally critiques media narratives, he steers clear of entertainment-focused scandals. A 2021 fact-check of Trump’s COVID-19 claims, for instance, focused on public health metrics rather than the former president’s media persona. Pitches about influencer culture or celebrity endorsements will likely miss the mark.
Farley received this Society of Professional Journalists honor for his Biden impeachment inquiry series, which judges praised as “a resonant counterweight to partisan noise.” The award underscores his ability to maintain rigor amid intense political pressure—a rarity in today’s fragmented media landscape.
As part of PolitiFact’s founding team, Farley helped pioneer the “Truth-O-Meter” framework now widely emulated in political journalism. The Pulitzer committee specifically cited his work debunking false Medicare claims during the 2008 election, which set new standards for transparency in healthcare reporting.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Politics, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
