When rating the bias of media sources we use the information below to determine editorial bias. In general, a source rated either right or left favors almost all of the policies in their category, whereas a Left-Center or Right-Center source will favor more of one side, but not all. Least Biased sources tend to be more balanced, provide perspectives from both sides, and have limited editorial positions. Please take into account this chart is from an American Perspective and may not align with all countries.
General Philosophy
Left: Collectivism: Community over the individual. Equality, environmental protection, expanded educational opportunities, social safety nets for those who need them.
Right: Individualism: Individual over the community. Limited Government with Individual freedom and personal property rights. Competition.
Abortion
Left: Legal in most cases.
Right: Generally illegal with some exceptions.
Economic Policy
Left: Income equality; higher tax rates on the wealthy; government spending on social programs and infrastructure; stronger regulations on business. Minimum wages and some redistribution of wealth.
Right: Lower taxes; less regulation on businesses; reduced government spending. The government should tax less and spend less. Charity over social safety nets. Wages should be set by the free market.
Education Policy
Left: Favor expanded free, public education. Reduced cost or free college.
Right: Supports homeschooling and private schools. Generally not opposed to public education, but critical of what is taught.
Environmental Policy
Left: Regulations to protect the environment. Climate change is human-influenced and immediate action is needed to slow it.
Right: Considers the economic impact of environmental regulation. Believe the free market will find its own solution to environmental problems, including climate change. Some deny climate change is human-influenced.
Gay Rights
Left: Generally support gay marriage; support anti-discrimination laws to protect LGBT against workplace discrimination.
Right: Generally opposed to gay marriage; opposed to certain anti-discrimination laws because they believe such laws conflict with certain religious beliefs and restrict freedom of religion.
Gun Rights
Left: Favors laws such as background checks or waiting periods before buying a gun; banning certain high capacity weapons to prevent mass shootings.
Right: Strong supporters of the Second Amendment (the right to bear arms), believing it’s a deterrent against authoritarian rule and the right to protect oneself. Generally, does not support banning any type of weaponry.
Health Care
Left: Most support universal healthcare; strong support of government involvement in healthcare, including Medicare and Medicaid. Generally, support the Affordable Care Act. Many believe healthcare is a human right.
Right: Believe private companies can provide healthcare services more efficiently than government-run programs. Oppose the Affordable Care Act. Insurance companies can choose what to cover and compete with each other. Healthcare is not a right.
Immigration
Left: Generally, support a moratorium on deporting or offering a pathway to citizenship to certain undocumented immigrants. e.g. those with no criminal record, who has lived in the U.S. for 5+ years. Less restrictive legal immigration.
Right: Generally against amnesty for any undocumented immigrants. Oppose a moratorium on deporting certain workers. Funding for stronger enforcement actions at the border (security, wall). More restrictive legal immigration.
Military
Left: Decreased Spending
Right: Increased Spending
Personal Responsibility
Left: Strong government to provide a structure. Laws are enacted to protect every individual for an equal society. Safety nets for those in need.
Right: Personal responsibility and it is the government’s role to hold them accountable. Fair competition over safety nets.
Regulation
Left: Government regulations are needed to protect consumers and the environment.
Right: Government regulations hinder free-market capitalism and job growth.
Social Views
Left: Based on community and social responsibility. Gay couples to get equal rights like everyone else (e.g. marriage); abortion should be legal; support embryonic stem cell research. Support restrictions and regulations around the right to bear arms. Supports taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood.
Right: Based on individual rights and justice. Opposed to gay marriage, abortion, and embryonic stem cell research. Support the right to bear arms, death penalty, and personal responsibility as an individual. Opposed to taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood.
Taxes
Left: Progressive taxation (high-income earners taxed at a higher rate). Generally not opposed to raising taxes to fund the government.
Right: Tend to favor a “flat tax” (same tax rate regardless of income). Generally opposed to raising taxes to fund the government.
Voter ID
Left: Against voter ID laws citing an undue burden on lower-income groups causing them to be disenfranchised, and that there is virtually no evidence of voter fraud actually occurring.
Right: For voter identification laws to combat alleged voter fraud.
Worker’s/Business Rights
Left: Supports unions and worker protections. Raising the minimum wage. Higher corporate taxes.
Right: Favors business owners and corporations with the expectation higher profits will result in higher wages through a free-market. Generally opposed to a minimum wage. Lower corporate taxes.
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Last Updated on May 18, 2021 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources