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 using appeal 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 Radio Free Asia as Left-Center Biased based on story selection and editorial positions that slightly favor the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record.

Detailed Report

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

History

Founded in 1951, Radio Free Asia (RFA) is a private, nonprofit international broadcasting agency of the United States government that broadcasts and publishes online news, information, and commentary to listeners in East Asia while “advancing the goals of U.S. foreign policy.” RFA distributes content in nine Asian languages for audiences in six countries. In the past, RFA served as an anti-communist propaganda operation. Today they continue to promote USA interests with a less direct propaganda approach.

Read our profile on United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

Radio Free Asia is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is owned by U.S. Agency for Global Media and funded through donations.

Analysis / Bias

In review, Radio Free Asia publishes news for Asian countries such as Cambodia, China, North Korea, Myanmar, and Vietnam from an American perspective. News reporting uses minimally loaded language such as this Myanmar Reports First COVID-19 Case in Rakhine War Refugee Camps. This story is properly sourced to the World Health Organization. In another story they report Taiwan’s First Female President Starts Talking Gender Equality, which focuses on the left-leaning theme of gender equality.

In general, story selection leans left and promotes a pro-American perspective such as this U.S. Renews Ban on Communist Party Members Seeking to Emigrate. This story is properly sourced to the AFP and New York Times. RFA reports news factually and with a slight left-leaning bias.

Failed Fact Checks

• None in the Last 5 years

Overall, we rate Radio Free Asia as Left-Center Biased based on story selection and editorial positions that slightly favor the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (11/28/2016) (Updated D. Van Zandt 09/03/2023)

Source: https://www.rfa.org/