RIGHT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources are slightly to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes) to favor conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate CapCon as Right-Center biased due to its editorial choices and story selection, which frequently align with conservative economic principles. We also rate them as Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to their occasional use of selective presentation and framing that can skew the portrayal of events to fit a conservative narrative while still adhering to the basic standards of factual accuracy in representing events and issues.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Michigan Capitol Confidential (CapCon) is a news service provided by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, established in 2010. The Mackinac Center is a free-market think tank located in Midland, Michigan. CapCon aims to provide news and information on Michigan state government and public policy issues. It often emphasizes fiscal accountability and transparency and opposes excessive government intervention.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
CapCon is owned and operated by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a non-profit organization. The Mackinac Center’s funding comes from various sources, including individual donations, foundation grants, and corporate contributions. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it does not disclose its donors. However, some known donors are Dow Chemical, the Cornerstone Foundation, the Charles G. Koch Foundation, Exxon, and the DeVos Foundation.
Analysis / Bias
Michigan Capitol Confidential, associated with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, exhibits a right-leaning bias in its reporting, particularly on fiscal and environmental topics. The selection of stories often aligns with conservative values, focusing on issues like tax policy, government spending, regulatory impact on businesses, and skepticism towards climate change mitigation.
For instance, in the article “Michigan’s got the bloated budget blues,” CapCon criticizes Michigan’s increased state budget. The article implies that higher spending has not resulted in proportional improvements in public services. This narrative aligns with conservative principles of smaller government and fiscal restraint, advocating for reduced government spending. These principles align with the free-market and limited government ideologies endorsed by CapCon’s parent organization.
Similarly, “Climate Lawsuits Expose Contradictory Government Policies” questions the effectiveness of litigation against energy companies for climate change. It aligns with conservative views on climate change policies, emphasizing market-driven solutions and criticizing government intervention. This perspective may reflect the views of its contributors, such as ExxonMobil. These articles demonstrate how CapCon presents factual events in a way that supports a conservative narrative. This observation is particularly relevant given the historical context of the fossil fuel industry’s understanding of climate change effects. Readers should be aware of this bias and the parent organization’s funding sources when evaluating the content’s objectivity.
Regarding sourcing, CapCon cites various sources, including regional news like SFGate, legal documentation from Court House News, and national publications such as The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Similarly, in “Michigan’s Got the Bloated Budget Blues,” the article primarily references its parent organization, the Mackinac Center, alongside other sources like Crains Detroit. While diverse, this mix of sources often supports CapCon’s narrative.
Furthermore, while the articles utilize credible sources, the framing often emphasizes critiques of government initiatives, reflecting the publication’s ideological leanings. Michigan Capitol Confidential’s reporting is biased in its selection and framing of sources, which reinforces its ideological stance.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate CapCon as Right-Center biased due to its editorial choices and story selection, which frequently align with conservative economic principles. We also rate them as Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to their occasional use of selective presentation and framing that can skew the portrayal of events to fit a conservative narrative while still adhering to the basic standards of factual accuracy in representing events and issues. (M. Huitsing 04/08/2024)
Source: https://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/
Last Updated on April 8, 2024 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources