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 FDA as Right-Center Biased based on its leadership’s emphasis on populist distrust of health institutions and the adoption of politically charged rhetoric. We rate it Mixed Factual due to its continued reliance on scientific processes, but with increasing concerns over inconsistent communication and politicized decision-making.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (2.8)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (3.9)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation/Government
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), part of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),is a federal agency tasked with ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of drugs, biological products, medical devices, food, cosmetics, and radiation-emitting products. Founded in 1906, the FDA is based in Silver Spring, Maryland, and operates under congressional authority.
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
The FDA is a government agency that works under the HHS. It is primarily funded through federal appropriations allocated by Congress. However, a significant portion of its budget also comes from industry user fees paid by pharmaceutical, medical device, and biologics companies under programs like the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA).
In 2025, the Trump administration implemented staffing reductions at the FDA, cutting positions funded by industry user fees rather than taxpayer dollars. The recent layoffs raise concerns about medical device approval delays.
Analysis / Bias
As a federal agency, the FDA focuses on public health and safety without engaging in politics. The agency publishes scientific reports, policy updates, recall notices, and regulatory decisions based on clinical data. However, the FDA’s direction has changed under Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., both of whom have emphasized transparency and skepticism toward entrenched medical institutions. Recent actions, such as the agency’s announcement of a label review for acetaminophen due to a possible autism link, reflect a more populist and precautionary stance on public health risks.
Critics argue that such moves echo Kennedy’s history of vaccine skepticism and risk lending credibility to unsupported health claims. A FactCheck.org review and other experts have noted the absence of causal evidence linking acetaminophen or vaccines to autism. Meanwhile, initiatives like the Vaccine Integrity Project have emerged to counter what they describe as misinformation and diminished scientific independence under the current administration.
While the FDA still bases many decisions on scientific review, its leadership’s public statements increasingly reflect political and cultural skepticism toward traditional health authorities. This has led to mixed confidence among medical experts, who view the agency’s messaging as inconsistent with its long-standing evidence-based mission.
Failed Fact Checks
- Seed oils in infant formula harm the health of infants. – Unsupported
Overall, we rate the FDA as Right-Center Biased based on its leadership’s emphasis on populist distrust of health institutions and the adoption of politically charged rhetoric. We rate it Mixed Factual due to its continued reliance on scientific processes, but with increasing concerns over inconsistent communication and politicized decision-making. (M. Huitsing 03/07/2025) Updated (10/16/2025)
Source: https://www.fda.gov/
Last Updated on October 16, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources