LEFT BIAS
These media sources are moderate to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports and omit reporting of information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate American Oversight Left Biased based on story selection that favors the left and political affiliation to the Democratic Party and left-leaning organizations. We also rate them Mixed for factual reporting due to a lack of transparency regarding funding.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Founded in 2017, American Oversight is a watchdog organization that uses litigation to access documents under FOIA (The Freedom of Information Act) protections. According to their about page, they are an “ethics watchdog and is the top Freedom of Information Act litigator investigating the Trump administration.” American Oversight targets federal agencies such as Housing and Urban Development and Education departments.
Austin Evers (Former Senior Counsel under the Obama Administration) is the Executive Director and founder of American Oversight, and the senior adviser is Melanie Sloan (a former Democratic Congressional aide and founder of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). The website lists the staff and their bios. American Oversight is Headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
Revenue for American Oversight is primarily derived from donations. According to USA Today, American Oversight is organized “as a 501c3 nonprofit and doesn’t plan to disclose its funding sources.” Further, Melanie Sloan says, “We don’t discuss our donors.”
Analysis / Bias
American Oversight consists of the following sections: Investigation, States, Documents, and News. In April 2018, they introduced its Parallel Investigations Initiative, and under the Documents section, you can filter through the numerous FOIA requests they file. On most days, they file multiple requests such as this: FOIA to DOI seeking records relating to mining leases held by a subsidiary of a company owned by Ivanka and Jared Kushner’s Washington, DC landlord.
In review, American Oversight uses emotionally loaded language in its headlines, such as “Sessions Letter Shows DOJ Acted On Trump’s Authoritarian Demand to Investigate Clinton” and “News Roundup: Trump Administration’s Defiance of Congressional Subpoenas.” American Oversight utilizes credible sources such as KFGO (radio station serving the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area), CBS News, The Hill, New York Times, Washington Post, and Politico.
In general, American Oversight’s sole purpose is to keep the former Trump Administration and its supporters accountable through document requests and lawsuits. In many ways, they are the left-leaning equivalent of Judicial Watch, minus the numerous failed fact checks.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate American Oversight Left Biased based on story selection that favors the left and political affiliation to the Democratic Party and left-leaning organizations. We also rate them Mostly Factual for factual reporting rather than High due to a lack of transparency regarding funding. (M. Huitsing 4/29/2019) Updated (11/03/20231`)
Source: https://www.americanoversight.org
Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Media Bias Fact Check
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