The Fiscal Times (TFT) is an English-language digital news, news analysis, and opinion publication based in New York City and Washington, D.C. Founded in 2010, it received initial funding from businessman and investment banker Peter G. Peterson, with Jacqueline Leo serving as its editor-in-chief. The publication's core focus revolves around how fiscal policy influences businesses and consumers, and conversely, how their behavior impacts government fiscal policy. This is explored through three main content channels: policy and politics, business and economy, and life and money, with news coverage also extending to the Presidency, Congress, and the Federal Reserve.
TFT positions itself as "The Source for All Things Fiscal" and asserts its role as part of a "new era of independently supported non-partisan journalism." It aims to deliver fair, accurate, and balanced reporting, acting as an "honest broker" on a wide range of fiscal issues including the federal budget, the growing deficit, entitlements, healthcare, personal savings, taxation, and the global economy. To ensure these standards, an advisory committee, comprising notable figures like Robert D. Reischauer and Jim Brady, periodically meets with TFT editors to assess performance and progress.
The founding of The Fiscal Times by Peter G. Peterson, a controversial Wall Street billionaire known for advocating cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, sparked some criticism. Liberal advocacy groups, particularly Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR), accused Peterson of using his wealth to advance a political agenda. This concern was amplified when The Washington Post published TFT content as part of a partnership, leading to accusations of passing off "special-interest 'propaganda'" as news. The Post's ombudsman acknowledged a "glaring lack of transparency" and insufficient balance in some pieces but defended the partnership, citing Peterson's assurance of "no strings attached" funding. Despite these controversies, other reports at the time, such as one in The Hill, celebrated TFT's launch, commending its "non-partisan, clearly numbers-based approach."
The Fiscal Times boasts a staff of veteran reporters and editors, including Jackie Leo (formerly of Reader's Digest), Eric Pianin (former Washington Post budget reporter), and Yuval Rosenberg (former editor at Fortune). This experienced team contributes to the publication's content, which also benefits from extensive partnerships. TFT collaborates with numerous news organizations like The Washington Post, CNBC, Microsoft, and Business Insider, allowing for joint content production and sharing. Additionally, TFT stories frequently appear on platforms such as The Huffington Post and The Week, broadening its reach and impact.