The Funders Behind the Fact Checkers

When former Texas Governor and likely presidential candidate Rick Perry states in a speech that the cost of government regulation “hits American families for $15,000 a year,” how should you assess the claim’s validity? With the increasing polarization of the media, nonprofit watchdogs that are trying to raise the level of political debate are becoming more important. One such group is FactCheck.org. A newer effort is the Fact-Checking Project at American Press Institute.

Both groups are attracting donations from a handful of funders worried about media objectivity and impartial...