Daily Source Bias Check: Clarion Project

Detailed Report

Reasoning: Extreme Right, Poor Sourcing, Failed Fact Checks, 3rd party Hate Group designations
Country: USA
World Press Freedom Rank: USA 45/180

History

The Clarion Project (formerly Clarion Fund Inc.) is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization founded in 2006. The Clarion Project states its mission as “exposing the dangers of Islamic extremism while providing a platform for the voices of moderation and promoting grassroots activism.” The founder was Rabbi Raphael Shore. According to their about page, “Clarion Project is a non-profit organization that educates the public about the dangers of ideological extremism.”

Funded by / Ownership

The Clarion Project is a nonprofit that is funded through donations. Donors include the Donors Capital Fund, as well Sheldon Adelson who has donated a significant amount of money to President Donald Trump. According to Charity Navigator, who rates charities, they have rated them 1 out of 4 stars, primarily because of its “accountability and transparency issues.”

Analysis / Bias

In review, The Clarion Project produces films that have been described as anti-Islamic propaganda. The website features a map that lists extremist groups in each state. The map only provides what they perceive as Islamic Extremist and do not include such organizations as the KKK or other right-wing extremist groups. The Clarion Project also offers a news section that provides commentary and analysis from a right-leaning perspective. Articles and headlines utilize moderately loaded language that is derogatory toward Muslims such as this: Is Muslim Reform Even Possible? When it comes to sourcing they rely on a mix of credible sources as well as poor sources such as The Blaze and Jihad Watch.

Media Bias Fact Check does not determine hate group status and relies on 3rd party analysis for evidence. The following have concluded or mentioned The Clarion Project as a potential hate group or anti-Islamic organization.

• Anti-Muslim Hate Groups
• THE RISE OF THE ALT-RIGHT: UNDERSTANDING THE SOCIOCULTURAL EFFECTS OF MAINSTREAMING ANTI-MUSLIM SENTIMENT
• Clarion Project
• ANTI-MUSLIM HATE GROUP USES SAME NAME AS STATE-FUNDED PVE PROGRAM
• Explore the $57 million network fueling Islamophobia in the United States

In general, most news reporting by the Clarion Project is negative toward Muslims with a strong right-leaning bias that is not always factual.

Failed Fact Checks

• On Tim Kaine: “In exchange for campaign contributions, he appointed a radical jihadi to the Virginia Immigration Commission.” – False
• Democrat Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota state representative newly elected to the U.S. House, voted against a Minnesota bill that would have imposed stiffer penalties for female genital mutilation (FGM) – False

Overall, we rate the Clarion Project extreme right biased and Questionable due to poor sourcing, promotion of anti-Islamic propaganda, failed fact checks, and designation as a hate group by 3rd party sources. (D. Van Zandt 4/15/2017) Updated (6/9/2020)

Source: https://clarionproject.org/