PolitiFact, the Tampa Bay Times project that fact-checks politicians and political spinmeisters, is setting its eyes on the media.
The site will start PunditFact, which will be “dedicated to checking claims by pundits, columnists, bloggers and the hosts and guests of talk shows.”
PunditFact is being supported by the Ford Foundation and the Democracy Fund, which have contributed $625,000, as well as craigconnects, a non-profit from CraigsList founder Craig Newmark.
PolitiFact explains what the plans are for PunditFact on their site.
“Pundits on TV and radio, as well as bloggers and columnists, are prominent voices in our political discourse, yet sometimes they blur the lines between opinion and fact,” said Neil Brown, editor and vice president of the Times. “Now we will hold them accountable, much as we’ve done with politicians.”
PolitiFact has had its ups and downs when it comes to media coverage, garnering invitations for its editors, as well as the occasional outrage over one of its verdicts.