If you want a good example of why I’m skeptical of the “but it’s factually accurate” line of defense for the integrity of a news article, have a look at this Onion parody.
The headline reads “Report: 94% Of South Dakotans Unprepared For Mt. Rushmore Faces Coming Alive And Eating Everyone.” Then there’s a badly-doctored photo of the Mt. Rushmore carvings coming alive. Abe Lincoln grew a nice set of fangs.
If that were a real poll, the headline would be factually accurate. I’m sure 94 percent of South Dakotans are totally unprepared for the prospect of the faces on Mt. Rushmore coming alive and eating everyone. They’re not prepared for that because any sane person understands there is zero chance that would ever happen. But it’s still factually accurate to claim that people are unprepared.
eyeroll
Let’s use another favorite term. Strawman.
Funny picture though.
Factual accuracy is to a news story as a high school diploma is to a white collar job: a prerequisite, but not something that actually proves anything by itself.