The School of Media and Public Affairs is excited to announce the launch of a terrific new initiative called Face the Facts USA.

The project, which launches today at facethefactsusa.org, is a new nonpartisan, multi-platform content hub and civic engagement initiative dedicated to elevating the tone of national debate with provocative facts. The effort will roll out one revealing, myth-busting new fact each day until the election. The facts will be augmented by a deep archive of information, discussion and interactive tools.

Led by SMPA’s Center for Innovative Media, Face the Facts USA uses pop culture-themed digital videos, lively infographics, and extensive social media to help voters become more informed on today’s most important topics. The user, upon seeing the facts, can peruse “Details on Demand” – original source information, essays and commentary, citizen conversation, and related content.

There are two teams of GW students working on the project - one is producing videos to augment the daily facts, and the other is a team of six student and alumni researchers led by SMPA graduate student Melissa Mapes whose task it is to produce 10 facts in each of 10 different categories. The categories are: Debt & Deficits; Jobs & the Economy; Taxes; Education; Infrastructure; National Security; Energy & the Environment; Health Care; Social Security & Medicare; and Life in America.

The project is already attracting major media attention from the likes of CNN and Politico, whose Alexander Burns wrote about it this morning. The project's chief executive is Frank Sesno, SMPA's Director, and he appeared yesterday morning on CNN to describe the project. We'll link to more media coverage as it is available. Here is the press release. Meanwhile, go check out the website, follow them on Twitter, and fan them on Facebook!