Facts Check is looking for writers who actually know how to use their heads. We aren’t interested in the same recycled, lukewarm rubbish you see on every “wellness” blog or tabloid site. We’re not interested in those who believe it’s journalism to tweak a press release or call on a chatbot to “summarise the pros and cons of garlic for blood pressure.
Are you someone who can take a viral rumour, break down the cold, hard facts — and deliver them all without putting our readers to tears? Could you write like a human instead of a corporate handbook? If you can spot a dodgy claim from a mile away and back up your scepticism with proper British logic, we want to hear from you.
No fancy media degree needed. We don’t care if you’ve got a portfolio bound in leather. Can you find the facts and write them well? That’s the only metric that matters here.
What We Want
Articles that give our readers a reason to stop scrolling. We want the real story behind the “miracle cures,” the “economic doomsday” WhatsApp forwards, and the “petrol price hike” scares.
Don’t just give us a “hot take.” We want proper investigation. If everyone is saying petrol prices are going to double by Friday, tell us why they’re wrong (or right) using actual data from the RAC or the Treasury. If a TikTok trend says rubbing a potato on your neck cures a cold, show us the science—or the lack of it.
We’re British. We focus on the UK economy, our NHS, our supermarkets, and our streets. If it affects the person waiting for a bus in Croydon or a nurse in Glasgow, it matters to us. We aren’t interested in “10 Reasons why Life is Hard.” We want thoughtful, evidence-led pieces that help people sleep better at night.
How to Write for Us
Write like you’re explaining a complex scam to your mate down the pub. You’re talking to someone who’s smart but hasn’t spent six hours digging through ONS data like you have.
- No jargon. If you have to use a term like “Quantitative Easing” or “Placebo Effect,” explain it simply.
- Short paragraphs. They’re easier on the eyes.
- Vary your pace. Use short, punchy sentences for impact. Then use longer ones to explain the detail.
- Use contractions. It’s “don’t,” not “do not.” It’s “it’s,” not “it is.” If you write like a 19th-century schoolmaster, we’ll probably bin it.
- British English only. Colour, not color. Petrol, not gas. GP, not doctor’s office.
Most of our pieces run between 800 and 1,200 words. If you need more to prove a point, take it. If you can debunk a lie in 750, don’t fluff it up. Just write what the story needs.
What We Are Looking For:
- The “Human” Touch: Articles need to be engaging and useful, and they must sound like they come from a person who has a pulse. It’s okay to have a little wit — even encouraged if not mean-spirited.
- Length: At least 800 words. We need enough meat on the bones to demonstrate you’ve done the work.
- Originality: You must come up with 100% original work. We check everything. If it looks like AI-generated “slop,” we won’t even reply. Our readers are here for human voices, not algorithmic mush.
- No “Naughty” Stuff: We don’t do links or content related to Casinos, Gambling, CBD, or Adult topics. Don’t bother asking.
- Natural Links: If you’re including a backlink, it needs to be placed naturally in the body of the text. Don’t cram it into the first or last paragraph like a desperate SEO salesman.
- Formatting: Use clear subheadings (H2, H3). If you use images, ensure you own them or they are Creative Commons, and provide the source. No text embedded in images, please.
- Non-Promotional: We aren’t a free billboard for your company. If your article feels like an advert, it’s a no.
What We Definitely Won’t Publish
- Rewrites: If you’re just taking a BBC News article and changing every third word, don’t waste our time.
- AI Content: None. Not even for “brainstorming.” We can spot the robotic symmetry of AI a mile off. If you can’t be bothered to write it, our readers won’t be bothered to read it.
- Sloppy Research: Check your dates. Check the names. If you’re guessing about whether a new tax law is in place, you aren’t fact-checking—you’re contributing to the problem.
Say What You Think
If the evidence shows a popular “health guru” is a total fraud, say it. Strong opinions are welcome as long as they are backed by facts. You can be forceful without being nasty. If you’re tackling something controversial, don’t assume the reader already agrees with you. Win them over with logic and evidence.
The Editing Process
Our editors are here to help, not to rewrite your soul. We might tighten a sentence or ask for a better source on a specific figure. Your voice stays yours. If we think a fact looks a bit “dodgy,” we’ll check it. The goal is to make your piece bulletproof before it goes live.
Pitching to Us
Got a rumour you want to bust? Email us a few sentences. Tell us:
- What’s the claim?
- Why is it trending in the UK right now?
- What’s your “in”? (Do you have a better source, a new data set, or a clearer explanation?)
We don’t need a formal CV or a corporate template. Just show us you can think and write. We try to get back to people within 2 to 7 working days.
Why Facts Check Matters
The British internet is currently drowning in “rubbish.” It’s all clickbait headlines with nothing underneath, or generic articles written to please a search engine instead of a person.
We want to get back to proper, gritty British journalism. We want articles that are actually useful. If you’re tired of the “algorithmic slop” and want to write things that people actually remember ten minutes after they’ve closed the tab, then get in touch.
Let’s give the readers the facts they deserve.
Does that sound like the kind of writing you do? Then crack on and send us a pitch.