Influence Watch – Bias and Credibility

RIGHT BIAS

These media sources are moderately to strongly biased toward conservative 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 information that may damage conservative causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Right Bias sources.

Overall, we rate Influence Watch Right Biased based on the left-leaning sources they more frequently profile, as well as the use of loaded words such as “extremist” to describe liberal policy. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact check record.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: RIGHT
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Founded in 2016, Influence Watch is a project of the conservative think tank Capital Research Center. According to their about page, “Capital Research Center conceived of this project after identifying a need for more fact-based, accurate descriptions of all of the various influencers of public policy issues.” In simpler terms, Influence Watch attempts to be the right-leaning counter to the left-leaning Sourcewatch, which profiles how and where think tanks, organizations, and media are funded.

Funded By / Ownership

Capital Research Center owns Influence Watch, which in turn is funded through donations. Some of their top donors are Exxon-Mobil, Koch Industries, and the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation. “CRC’s president is Scott Walter, who took office in 2016. A philanthropic consultant and former editor of publications released by the Philanthropy Roundtable and American Enterprise Institute.”

Influence Watch has also been directly funded by the Bradley Foundation and the John William Pope Foundation. The common theme among all donors is conservative political affiliation and ties to the fossil fuel industry.

Analysis / Bias

In review, Influence Watch profiles non-profits, for-profits, labor unions, and groups, detailing their funding and political affiliation. Where Sourcewatch tends to profile right-leaning organizations, Influence Watch profiles more left-leaning organizations, influence Watch also profiles activist groups such as Black Lives Matter and ANTIFA, which they describe as “extreme left and violent.” The sourcing used for the ANTIFA profile comes from credible sources such as The Economist and The Atlantic. Influence Watch also profiles movements such as the Fight for $15 (Minimum Wage), which they portray negatively, calling the idea a “radical policy.” Influence Watch also profiles numerous organizations that are concerned with climate change. Their profile of 350.org, an environmental group that opposes new oil, gas, and coal exploration, labels them “extreme left-wing policy.”

In general, Influence Watch uses strongly loaded words to describe the organizations they are profiling, often labeling them extremists. However, as biased as their words may be, the information is properly sourced, and while they may bring attention to climate change activists, they do not state denial of global warming.

Failed Fact Checks

None in the Last 5 years

Overall, we rate Influence Watch Right Biased based on the left-leaning sources they more frequently profile, as well as the use of loaded words such as “extremist” to describe liberal policy. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (D. Van Zandt 1/17/2019) Updated (12/14/2022)

Source: https://www.influencewatch.org

Last Updated on May 26, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check