Front Groups We're Scrutinizing

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What’s a Front Group?

Not all organizations trying to shape public opinion are front groups. Some organizations may represent a particular point of view, and don't hide who's paying the bills. But just about all front groups try to mislead in one way or another. A front group typically has some (but not necessarily all) of the following characteristics:

It avoids mentioning its main sources of funding. This does not necessarily mean absolute concealment of sponsorship.
It's set up by and/or operated by another organization, particularly a public relations, grassroots campaigning, polling or surveying firm or consultancy.
It engages in actions that consistently and conspicuously benefit a third party, such as a company, industry or political candidate.
It shields a third party from liability, responsibility or culpability.
It re-focuses debate about an issue onto a new or unrelated topic, for example, portraying secondhand smoke from cigarettes as a property rights issue.
It has a misleading name that disguises its real agenda, such as the National Wetlands Coalition, which opposed policies to protect U.S. wetlands; or the Consumer Alliance for Energy Security, which is funded by the oil, gas and manufacturing industries and advocates for offshore drilling. Sometimes a front group's name might seem to suggest academic or political neutrality ("Consumers' Research," "American Policy Center"), while in fact it consistently turns out opinions, research, surveys, reports, polls and other declarations that benefit the interests of a company, industry or political candidate.
It has the same address or phone number as a similar group that has since disbanded, or been forced out of business by exposure, lawsuits, etc. Or, possibly, it has limited or no contact information, with a telephone number no one answers and an e-mail address no one responds from.
It consists of a group of vocal, "esteemed" academic "experts" who go on national tours, put on media events, give press conferences, seminars, workshops, and give editorial board meetings around the country, etc., even though the organization would not seem to have the budget or financial means to carry out such events.
It touts repeatedly in communications that it is "independent," "esteemed," "credible" etc.

The following organizations, which act as front groups while purport to represent consumer interests, are profiled in our wiki, SourceWatch. Use the links below to learn more about them or to add your own research. (Since it's a wiki, anyone can edit the articles.)

For a longer list, see the full front groups category on Sourcewatch. For additional information about the topic of front groups, visit our front groups portal.