Who foots the bill for the political conventions; then, checking the fact-checkers

Hour 1

After the speeches are over, the parties have ended, the banners come down, and the delegates head home, the Democratic and Republican parties will have spent well over $100 million on their national conventions.  So who foots the bill for all these festivities — inside and outside the arena?  The money comes from a combination of sources — individuals and corporate donors, special interest groups, the federal government and the American taxpayers who contribute $3 to the Presidential Campaign Fund by checking off a box on their annual  tax form. Politico’s DAVE LEVINTHAL offers some perspective and tells us what everyone hopes to get in return for their investment.   Then, we’ll check in on the fact-checkers.  Are reporters doing a good enough job when it comes to refuting and covering politicians’ false claims?  We’re joined JUSTIN PETERS of the Columbia Journalism Review who has been writing about the rise of fact-checking journalism and its challenges.

Photo: Delegates recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Listen to the mp3

Listen:
[audio: 090612_100630.mp3]