LEFT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources have a slight to moderate progressive/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 progressive/liberal causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information, but may require further investigation. See all Left-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate Religion Dispatches as Left-Center biased due to its secular and progressive framing of religion-related social issues. We also rate it as Mostly Factual in reliability, as it generally supports its claims with credible sources, though its strong editorial perspective may introduce occasional one-sided reporting.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Religion Dispatches (RD) was founded in 2008 by two religious studies scholars, Gary Laderman (Emory University) and Linell Cady (Arizona State University), with journalist Evan Derkacz, formerly of AlterNet. Joined by editor Lisa Webster, the team established RD as a secular, nonprofit magazine to explore critical intersections between religion, politics, and social issues, emphasizing justice, equality, and public policy. Partnered with Political Research Associates, an organization supporting social justice that aligns with RD’s commitment to exploring the influence of religious and ideological narratives on societal structures.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
Religion Dispatches is a nonprofit published by Political Research Associates (PRA), a social justice-oriented nonprofit from Massachusetts. PRA supports RD’s mission of creating informed dialogue on religion and its impact on public life, with funding primarily sourced through donations and grants. The publication previously operated under the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism (Factcheck.org)from 2013 to 2018 before moving to PRA.
Analysis / Bias
Religion Dispatches operates with a progressive lens, frequently focusing on issues like racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and secular policy advocacy. For example, a recent article titled “The Overwhelming Whiteness and Increasing Maleness of U.S. Churches isn’t an Accident — It’s a Selling Point.” examines evangelical church trends. This piece discusses the predominance of white male congregants in evangelical spaces as a reflection of conservative cultural values, and it critically analyzes demographic shifts within these religious communities, especially among younger members. The article cites Pew Research, the New York Times, and the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI).
Furthermore, Religion Dispatches often critiques conservative religious and political positions, favoring secular perspectives in public policy debates. Its stance on religious freedom typically aligns with progressive ideals, noting the impact of conservative policies on marginalized groups. While Religion Dispatches relies on academic and reputable sources, its consistent emphasis on social justice and critical view of conservative ideologies presents a left-leaning, one-sided perspective.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate Religion Dispatches as Left-Center biased due to its secular and progressive framing of religion-related social issues. We also rate it as Mostly Factual in reliability, as it generally supports its claims with credible sources, though its strong editorial perspective may introduce occasional one-sided reporting. (M. Huitsing 10/26/2024)
Source: https://religiondispatches.org/
Last Updated on October 26, 2024 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources