A new fact-checking service will be launched by national newswire Australian Associated Press in time for the federal and NSW election campaigns, set to kick off early next year.

Political statements and comments by public figures will be scrutinised when AAP launches AAP CrossCheck in February ahead of the NSW March poll, and the federal election due before mid-May.

"In a era of high spin and half-truths, calling out misleading statements has never been more important in news gathering," AAP Editor-in-Chief Tony Gillies said on Friday.

The news verification team will raise red flags in news coverage, targeting the statements of politicians, public figures and institutions contributing to public debate.

Mr Gillies said AAP's new media unit was developed with the support of the Google News Initiative.

"We are grateful to Google for its financial support. And while we would welcome additional partners for this project, AAP's editorial independence is central to its success," Gillies said.

"AAP will make its own decisions about the statements it will scrutinise."

While AAP CrossCheck will initially focus on political content, it may became a permanent fixture in Australia's media landscape.