Black Lives Matter – Bias and Credibility

These media sources are moderate to strongly biased toward liberal/progressive causes through story selection and/or political affiliation.  They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using an appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage liberal/progressive causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.

• Overall, we rate Black Lives Matter Left Biased based on political positions aligned with the progressive Democratic platform. We also rate them Mixed for factual reporting due to a lack of transparency with funding and failed fact checks.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT (-6.2)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (5.0)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY

History

Black Lives Matter (BLM) originated in 2013 following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin. The phrase and hashtag were created by activists Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi and developed into a broader racial-justice movement following protests over the 2014 police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

The organization operating BlackLivesMatter.com is the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on racial justice, policy advocacy, community investment, and abolitionist causes. Its current mission states that it seeks to address institutional injustice and ultimately advocates a society divested from police, prisons, and other punitive systems.

Black Lives Matter should also be distinguished from the broader decentralized BLM movement. Numerous local organizations and activists use the Black Lives Matter name or identify with the movement but do not necessarily operate under the Global Network Foundation.

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

BlackLivesMatter.com is operated by the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization funded primarily through charitable contributions. The organization now publishes financial information, identifies members of its board, and maintains a transparency section on its website.

According to its fiscal-year 2023 IRS Form 990, the foundation reported approximately $4.7 million in revenue, $10.8 million in expenses, and $25.9 million in net assets. Contributions accounted for the vast majority of its revenue. The organization also generates limited revenue through royalties and merchandise-related activities.

Analysis / Bias

Black Lives Matter primarily publishes advocacy content related to racial justice, policing, criminal justice, voting rights, economic inequality, housing, healthcare, education, and other social issues. Its current platform explicitly embraces abolitionist policies and calls for reducing or eliminating reliance on police, prisons, and punitive systems.

Politically, the organization consistently supports progressive policy positions and frequently criticizes Republican policies and political figures. Current campaigns include ending qualified immunity, changing the role of police in traffic enforcement, supporting reparations, protecting voting access, and promoting community-based alternatives to policing. Its recent commentary has also been strongly critical of policies pursued by the Trump administration.

In general, Black Lives Matter functions primarily as a political and social advocacy organization rather than a traditional news source. Its content reflects progressive and left-wing positions on racial, economic, criminal justice, and social policy issues.

Failed Fact Checks

• “Biden is currently sending more military equipment to our neighborhoods than Trump did.” – False
• “Ma’Khia Bryant called the police for help. Columbus police officer Nicholas Reardon showed up and shot this 16-year-old child point-blank within a matter of seconds.” – No Evidence

Overall, we rate Black Lives Matter Left Biased based on political positions aligned with the progressive Democratic platform. We also rate them Mixed for factual reporting due to a lack of transparency with funding and failed fact checks. (D. Van Zandt 11/14/2016) Updated (09/12/2026)

Source: https://blacklivesmatter.com