Fact checkers used to be paid by the journalism industry to verify information way back when there was a semi-honest judiciary and what you put in print or on tape could be taken to either civil and criminal courts for legal remedy. That slowly evolved to what is now those same journalism outlets being able to LIE about anything they choose. With next to no legal remedy being available. So in a way they are still being "paid" by the same folks.
Fact checkers used to be paid by the journalism industry to verify information way back when there was a semi-honest judiciary and what you put in print or on tape could be taken to either civil and criminal courts for legal remedy. That slowly evolved to what is now those same journalism outlets being able to LIE about anything they choose. With next to no legal remedy being available. So in a way they are still being "paid" by the same folks.