Social media exploded with the news that Homeland Security will begin compiling a database of journalists and media influencers.

Questions arose if the claim was true and if Homeland Security could actually do just that. So, we verified.

QUESTION

Is Homeland Security compiling a database of journalist, media influencers?

ANSWER

True.

EXPLANATION

We first checked with the Department of Homeland Security's website where they had a posting on their job website for a contractor for a database. The position would monitor more than 290,000 news outlets, both in the U.S. and around the world.

The database would collect information on journalists, bloggers, and media influencers by tracking their public activities online, based on location and beat (or reporting specialty). It would also track the "sentiment" of the content. And that's the part of the job description that has some people a little worried.

11Alive reached out to Homeland Security on how it plans to use the data that are collected and whether it helps national security. We have yet to receive a response.

However, Homeland Security spokesperson, Todd Houlton tweeted that the database is “nothing more than the standard practice of monitoring current events in the media.”

Cybersecurity analyst Garrett Graff said it's a smart thing for Homeland Security to do and encouraged everyone to stop freaking out.

And Brookings fellow Susan Hennessey said this has more to do with public relations than the end of the free press.

In the end, the claim was verified to be true.