Journal Sentinel and Wisconsin Watch Launch Fact-Checking Partnership

New 'Fact Briefs' will provide 150-word responses to claims circulating online

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and nonprofit news organization Wisconsin Watch are launching a new partnership to produce 'Fact Briefs' - concise, 150-word fact-checks of claims circulating online. The reader-friendly format will provide clear 'yes' or 'no' answers backed by high-quality sources, aiming to combat the spread of misinformation, especially during election seasons.

Why it matters

With another high-stakes election year approaching, this new fact-checking initiative aims to provide Wisconsin voters with independent, non-partisan information on key issues. The partnership between the Journal Sentinel and Wisconsin Watch will expand the reach and impact of their fact-checking efforts, which have been crucial in combating the proliferation of misinformation on social media and from influential figures.

The details

The Fact Briefs will be produced by a team of reporters from both the Journal Sentinel and Wisconsin Watch, drawing on their expertise in covering politics, government, public health, and other key topics. Each item will go through a rigorous editing process to ensure clarity and consistency. The fact-checks will be published online without paywalls and shared with other news outlets across Wisconsin, amplifying their impact.

  • The new fact-checking partnership will launch in February 2026, ahead of another high-stakes election year.

The players

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A major daily newspaper serving the Milwaukee metropolitan area and the state of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Watch

A nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom based in Madison, Wisconsin that focuses on investigative and explanatory journalism.

Gigafact

A nonprofit organization that supports local newsrooms in combating misinformation by providing a platform for delivering bite-sized fact-checks of trending claims.

Matthew DeFour

State bureau chief for Wisconsin Watch.

Tom Kertscher

The primary Fact Brief reporter at Wisconsin Watch, a former Journal Sentinel staffer and PolitiFact veteran.

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What they’re saying

“Misinformation continues to spread on social media, sometimes by politicians and influencers with outsized megaphones. This partnership will help the public win the fight for facts.”

— Matthew DeFour, State bureau chief, Wisconsin Watch (wisconsinrapidstribune.com)

What’s next

The new Fact Briefs will be published on the websites of the Journal Sentinel and Wisconsin Watch, as well as shared with other news outlets across Wisconsin to maximize their reach and impact ahead of the 2026 election season.

The takeaway

This fact-checking partnership between the Journal Sentinel and Wisconsin Watch represents a crucial effort to combat the spread of misinformation and provide Wisconsin voters with independent, non-partisan information on key issues during a high-stakes election year. By delivering concise, well-researched fact-checks, the initiative aims to empower citizens to make informed decisions at the ballot box.