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 appealing 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 Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC) Left-Center Biased based on advocacy for policies favored by the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record.

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Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

The Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC), formerly Prisoners’ Legal News, was founded in 1990 in Washington State to publish a monthly newsletter for prisoners, their families, and those impacted by criminal justice policies. By 1993, the newsletter had evolved into a magazine with nationwide news coverage and circulation.

Founded by Paul Wright during his 17-year imprisonment in Washington state, HRDC is a national 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Lake Worth, Florida, with additional offices in Seattle, Washington; Nashville, Tennessee; and Washington, D.C.

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

The Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC) was founded in 1996 by Paul Wright with a grant from the Southern Poverty Law Center. HRDC is a non-profit NGO that funds its operations with individual donations and foundation grants. Key contributors include Borealis Philanthropy, Legal Foundation of Washington, The New World Foundation, People for the American Way, and the Sonya Staff Foundation., which help sustain HRDC’s core programs and special initiatives.

Analysis / Bias

HRDC’s advocacy efforts include publishing “Prison Legal News” and “Criminal Legal News,” which cover prison-related news, litigation, and the criminal justice system beyond incarceration. Their editorial stance includes; opposition to the private prison industry, support for free speech rights, and advocacy for government transparency.

The language used in their publications generally contains emotionally loaded language, aligning with their advocacy nature. For instance, the article; “The insidious ways building private prisons creates more prisons” uses certain phrases such as “insidious ways,” “cut costs to protect their profits,” and “issue of mass incarceration” that suggest a critical stance toward private prisons. Regarding sourcing, they cite credible sources through hyperlinking, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ScienceDirect, and NPR (National Public Radio).

Editorially, they advocate for human rights that align with a progressive perspective such as this Environmental Justice for Unaccompanied Migrant Children and equal protections for the LGBTQ community like this Letter to Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce re CoreCivic membership. In general, they are fact-based and hold moderate left-leaning progressive positions.

Failed Fact Checks

• None in the Last 5 years. They have been used as a resource for fact-checkers.

Overall, we rate the Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC) Left-Center Biased based on advocacy for policies favored by the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (M. Huitsinf 8/18/2023) 

Source: humanrightsdefensecenter.org