Learn Challenge: Verify Press Release Claims | Automation and Content Analysis in the Newsroom

Automated fact-checking is an essential tool for journalists aiming to verify information quickly and accurately. When a press release claims the completion of several projects, it is critical to cross-check these claims against official data sources. By using Python, you can automate this verification process, reducing manual effort and minimizing errors. This approach not only speeds up reporting but also enhances the credibility of your work by systematically identifying inconsistencies.


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import pandas as pd

# Predefined press release data
press_release_data = [
    {"project_id": 1, "project_name": "Riverwalk Extension", "completion_date": "2024-06-15"},
    {"project_id": 2, "project_name": "Downtown Park", "completion_date": "2024-05-30"},
    {"project_id": 3, "project_name": "Library Renovation", "completion_date": "2024-07-01"}
]

# Predefined official project database
official_database = [
    {"project_id": 1, "project_name": "Riverwalk Extension", "completion_date": "2024-06-15"},
    {"project_id": 2, "project_name": "Downtown Park", "completion_date": "2024-06-01"},
    {"project_id": 3, "project_name": "Library Renovation", "completion_date": "2024-07-01"}
]

# Convert lists to DataFrames
df_press = pd.DataFrame(press_release_data)
df_official = pd.DataFrame(official_database)

# Merge DataFrames on project_id
merged = pd.merge(df_press, df_official, on="project_id", suffixes=('_press', '_official'))

# Find mismatches in completion dates
discrepancies = merged[merged["completion_date_press"] != merged["completion_date_official"]]

if not discrepancies.empty:
    print("Discrepancies found between press release and official database:")
    print(discrepancies[["project_id", "project_name_press", "completion_date_press", "completion_date_official"]])
else:
    print("No discrepancies found. All project completion dates match.")

Automating checks like these helps you catch errors or inconsistencies that might otherwise go unnoticed. By systematically comparing data from press releases to official records, you can quickly identify discrepancies and ensure your reporting is based on accurate, verified information. This process not only saves time but also strengthens the reliability of your newsroom's fact-checking workflow.

Task

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Write a Python script to verify the accuracy of project completion dates listed in a press release by comparing them to an official project database.

Convert the press_release_data and official_database lists to pandas DataFrames.
Merge the two DataFrames on project_id.
Identify and report any projects where the completion date differs between the press release and the official database.
If there are no discrepancies, output a message indicating all dates match.

Solution

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import pandas as pd

# Predefined press release data
press_release_data = [
    {"project_id": 1, "project_name": "Riverwalk Extension", "completion_date": "2024-06-15"},
    {"project_id": 2, "project_name": "Downtown Park", "completion_date": "2024-05-30"},
    {"project_id": 3, "project_name": "Library Renovation", "completion_date": "2024-07-01"}
]

# Predefined official project database
official_database = [
    {"project_id": 1, "project_name": "Riverwalk Extension", "completion_date": "2024-06-15"},
    {"project_id": 2, "project_name": "Downtown Park", "completion_date": "2024-06-01"},
    {"project_id": 3, "project_name": "Library Renovation", "completion_date": "2024-07-01"}
]

# Convert lists to DataFrames
df_press = pd.DataFrame(press_release_data)
df_official = pd.DataFrame(official_database)

# Merge DataFrames on project_id
merged = pd.merge(df_press, df_official, on="project_id", suffixes=('_press', '_official'))

# Find mismatches in completion dates
discrepancies = merged[merged["completion_date_press"] != merged["completion_date_official"]]

if not discrepancies.empty:
    print("Discrepancies found between press release and official database:")
    print(discrepancies[["project_id", "project_name_press", "completion_date_press", "completion_date_official"]])
else:
    print("No discrepancies found. All project completion dates match.")