The work of fact-checkers, like that of all journalists, is scrutinized for accuracy and fairness. Signs of bias can damage an organization’s credibility.
That’s why fact-checking organizations commit to policies that promote nonpartisanship, such as prohibiting their staff from publicly participating in the political process. This means journalists at fact-checking organizations don’t show support for political parties, politicians or political candidates — no yard signs, no bumper stickers, no volunteering and no campaign donations.
A viral story published by a conservative news website tries to show fact-checkers are biased, pointing to campaign donations that favor Democratic candidates. Other conservative news outlets picked up the story, and billionaire Elon Musk amplified it on Twitter.
The report is highly misleading, conflating two different types of fact-checkers who do different things.
