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 an 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 the James Madison Institute as Right Biased due to its consistent promotion of conservative and libertarian economic policies. We rate its reporting as Mixed for factuality, as it publishes research-backed policy analysis, but its funding sources and ideological alignment suggest a lack of neutrality in framing issues and policy discussions.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT (6.7)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (4.7)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The James Madison Institute (JMI) is a conservative 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Tallahassee, Florida. It was founded in 1987 by J. Stanley Marshall, a former president of Florida State University. The organization advocates for free-market capitalism, limited government, and economic liberty, positioning itself as a policy research institution influencing state and national debates. JMI focuses on education, taxation, healthcare, and regulatory policy, particularly in Florida, and it promotes its policy ideas nationwide.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
JMI is a nonprofit organization that receives funding from private donations and conservative-leaning foundations. JMI has been financially supported by DonorsTrust and Donors Capital Fund, receiving over $1.3 million from these groups between 2005 and 2014. It has also received $286,384 from the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation and contributions from ExxonMobil ($5,000) and The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation ($15,000). Additionally, JMI is a member of the State Policy Network (SPN), a coalition of right-leaning think tanks that advocate for free-market policies at the state level. The organization is also listed as part of the advisory board for Project 2025, a Heritage Foundation initiative to restructure the federal government to align with conservative policies.
Analysis / Bias
JMI consistently promotes conservative and libertarian policies, advocating for deregulation, lower taxes, and reduced government intervention. The institute frames policy discussions around economic liberty and free-market solutions, often aligning with corporate and business interests.
For example, the article “Trump Tax Reform: Why Don’t More Americans Understand the Benefits?” presents the 2017 Trump tax cuts as overwhelmingly positive, arguing that mainstream media and political narratives obscure their advantages. The article does not offer a balanced discussion of the tax reform’s long-term economic effects or criticisms, reflecting JMI’s partisan framing in economic policy discussions.
Regarding environmental policy, JMI has not extensively updated its climate policy discussions in recent years; however, its past reports indicate a preference for market-driven solutions over government intervention that aligns with its major donors’ interests. Although JMI publishes research and policy papers, its findings often reflect its ideological stance rather than providing a neutral analysis.
Failed Fact Check
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate the James Madison Institute as Right Biased due to its consistent promotion of conservative and libertarian economic policies. We rate its reporting as Mixed for factuality, as it publishes research-backed policy analysis, but its funding sources and ideological alignment suggest a lack of neutrality in framing issues and policy discussions. (M. Huitsing 02/21/2025)
Source: https://jamesmadison.org/
Last Updated on February 21, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources