[roenxi]

Why would fact checking have an influence on lobbying? Everyone knows what is going on. It isn't like the politicians, lobbyists, technical experts or public are in the dark about what is happening.

If anything, a fact checking organisation has incentives to align with or even become a lobby group. We've seen what happens to "fact checking" in the political sphere.

[michaelt]

> Why would fact checking have an influence on lobbying?

Some would say, if a senator doesn't believe in climate change that's a question of fact, and if they merely received better advice they'd change their opinion.

A cynical person, on the other hand, would say they know full well that climate change is real but they've accepted money to pretend they believe otherwise. In that case, no amount of independent advice will change their minds, as it is not a question of facts but of money.

[A4ET8a8uTh0]

Not everyone. I will grant you that congress holds a low rating for Americans suggesting some level of understanding that they are being taken for a ride, but I genuinely think that if people in general population understood what is going on, there would be a lot more people taking action ( even if it is just taking it to FB and organizing a local page ). Sadly, I agree on the sentiment on 'fact checking'.