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 appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports and omit reporting of information that may damage conservative causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Right Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate The Rutherford Institute as Right Biased Libertarian due to its strong advocacy for civil liberties, skepticism of government power, opposition to abortion from a libertarian pro-life perspective, and critiques of globalism and state intervention. While the organization shares some traditional libertarian stances on issues such as police overreach and war, its framing of abortion, government authority, and individual rights leans right within the libertarian spectrum. We also rate it as Mostly Factual due to selective reporting that lacks opposing viewpoints, though their sources are generally credible.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT (6.7)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.8)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Founded in 1982 by constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead, The Rutherford Institute is a nonprofit civil liberties organization dedicated to providing legal assistance to individuals whose constitutional rights have been threatened. The organization is known for challenging government overreach, advocating for free speech, religious freedom, privacy rights, and opposition to militarized policing. Their mission extends beyond legal advocacy, aiming to educate the public on constitutional issues and promote individual liberties.
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
The Rutherford Institute is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization funded primarily through individual donations and foundation grants. According to ProPublica, in the fiscal year ending June 2022, the Institute reported $894,019 in revenue and $820,818 in expenses. The organization relies almost entirely on private contributions, which account for 99.9% of its total revenue. Donations can be made through its official donation page.
Analysis / Bias
The Rutherford Institute strongly aligns with right-libertarian and conservative civil liberties advocacy, particularly in its anti-government stance and focus on individual rights over collective governance. The organization’s coverage of abortion frames the issue as one of government overreach, with arguments that suggest opposition to abortion from a libertarian pro-life perspective, emphasizing the government’s role in determining who has rights. Articles such as “When the Government Plays God: The Slippery Slope from Abortions to Executions” reinforce this viewpoint by warning against state control over life-and-death decisions.
Their stance on law enforcement and surveillance remains consistent with libertarian principles, opposing the militarization of police and mass surveillance. However, their framing of climate disasters and infrastructure collapse focuses more on government incompetence and misplaced priorities rather than climate change itself, as seen in “America is Falling Apart: Our National Priorities Are in Dire Need of Restructuring”. This avoids left-wing environmentalist narratives and instead places blame on government corruption and mismanagement, reinforcing a right-libertarian viewpoint that government intervention—not corporate influence or systemic climate issues—is the core problem.
Additionally, the organization’s opposition to the military-industrial complex, foreign intervention, and endless wars aligns with traditional libertarian anti-war positions. However, their emphasis on Christian and constitutional foundations in governance and society leans toward right-libertarian nationalism rather than left-libertarian egalitarianism. The repeated use of religious references, strong pro-life rhetoric, and opposition to government control over bodily autonomy while still rejecting abortion as a right indicates a right-leaning libertarian stance with socially conservative undertones, as evident in “The Government Wants to Play God—What Does That Mean for Our Freedoms?”.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years.
Overall, we rate The Rutherford Institute as Right Biased Libertarian due to its strong advocacy for civil liberties, skepticism of government power, opposition to abortion from a libertarian pro-life perspective, and critiques of globalism and state intervention. While the organization shares some traditional libertarian stances on issues such as police overreach and war, its framing of abortion, government authority, and individual rights leans right within the libertarian spectrum. We also rate it as Mostly Factual due to selective reporting that lacks opposing viewpoints, though their sources are generally credible. (D. Van Zandt 03/16/2025)
Source: https://www.rutherford.org/
Last Updated on March 16, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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