RIGHT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources are slight to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes) to favor conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate the Adam Smith Institute as Right-Center Biased based on its editorial and advocacy positions, which favor a free-market libertarian perspective. We also rate them Mostly Factual rather than high due to a lack of transparency with funding and moderately one-sided reporting.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (4.5)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.1)
Country: United Kingdom
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
The Adam Smith Institute (ASI) was founded in 1977 in the United Kingdom, with the goal of promoting free-market and neoliberal ideas. The think tank was influential in shaping privatization policies under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s and has remained a significant player in British economic discourse. Its headquarters are located in London, England.
Read our profile on the UK media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
ASI is a nonprofit entity. It does not disclose a list of donors. It commissions polling through affiliated entities like Adam Smith Insights, and no government funding is disclosed. While ASI claims funding comes from a variety of sources, its transparency about contributors is minimal, which has drawn criticism. The institute appears to receive support from private donors and polling partners, such as JL Partners.
Analysis / Bias
ASI advocates for strong free-market and neoliberal economics, consistently promoting policies such as flat taxes, reduced public spending, deregulation, and privatization. Its positions oppose wealth taxes, resist government-led climate action, and dismiss what they call “nanny state” interventions.
Though the think tank claims to be empirically driven and “non-partisan,” its output largely reflects a right-libertarian worldview.
Their research articles are reasonably sourced and utilize polling data; however, their language often carries ideological framing. For instance, critics of wealth redistribution are portrayed as irrational or dishonest, as seen in their critique of wealth taxes and NHS spending. In general, the Adam Smith Institute is a British neoliberal think tank that promotes deregulation, free-market capitalism, and tax reduction policies.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate the Adam Smith Institute as Right-Center Biased based on its editorial and advocacy positions, which favor a free-market libertarian perspective. We also rate them Mostly Factual rather than high due to a lack of transparency with funding and moderately one-sided reporting. (D. Van Zandt 07/21/2025)
Source: https://www.adamsmith.org/
Last Updated on July 21, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources