LEFT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources have a slight to moderate liberal bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appeals to emotion or stereotypes) to favor liberal causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Left-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate the FM3 Research as Left-Center Biased based on news stories and polling that moderately favor the left. We also rate them as Mixed Factual pollsters based on a C- rating in predictive polling.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER (-3.4)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (6.0)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The FM3 Research (BSG) is a research organization based in Oakland. According to their about page, “FM3 Research is a California-based company that has been conducting public policy-oriented opinion research since 1981. While we initially conducted primarily political surveys for candidate and ballot measure campaigns, we have significantly broadened our focus over the past several decades. Now, if you want to educate, influence, or better serve a specific population, we can help.”
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
The FM3 Research is a privately owned company. Revenue is generated through the sales of services.
Analysis / Bias
The FM3 Research conducts political research and polling on a wide range of topics, including elections. The website publishes news related to its surveys. FM3 also provides research for mostly Democratic candidates.
Polling bias is assessed using Silver Bulletin’s mean-reverted bias metric. For FM3, the mean-reverted polling bias is −1.84, indicating a Moderate Democratic lean. Under MBFC’s calibrated polling bias scale, a mean bias between -1.6 and -2.0 corresponds to a polling bias score of -4. Polling bias accounts for 70% of the final bias score, while editorial bias accounts for 30%.
Applying MBFC’s weighted formula:
(−4 × 0.70) + (−2 × 0.30) = −3.4
Based on MBFC’s bias classification scale, a final score of -3.4 places FM3 Research in the Left-Center category.
Factual reporting is rated Mixed based on a Silver Bulletin grade of C-, indicating below-average predictive accuracy and poor methodological performance.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate the FM3 Research as Left-Center Biased based on news stories and polling that moderately favor the left. We also rate them as Mixed Factual pollsters based on a C- rating in predictive polling. (D. Van Zandt 08/22/2024) Updated (02/16/2026)
Source: https://fm3research.com/
Last Updated on February 16, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources