LEFT BIAS
These media sources are moderately to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using an appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate the Sanders Institute as left-biased due to its strong advocacy for progressive policies. The think tank is rated Mostly Factual in its reporting, as it generally uses credible sources but often frames issues to support its ideological perspective, limiting the inclusion of alternative viewpoints.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The Sanders Institute, co-founded by Jane O’Meara Sanders and David Driscoll in 2017, is a platform for progressive collaboration and advocacy based in Burlington, Vermont. It aims to promote progressive economic justice, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and social justice policies.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
The Sanders Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization primarily funded by donations. It is governed by a board of directors, including Meredith Rose Burak (chair); the institute also features several prominent fellows, including Dr. Jane O’Meara Sanders (Co-Founder), U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Dr. Cornel West, Naomi Klein, Robert Reich, and environmental activist Bill McKibben. While the institute provides information about its board and fellows, detailed financial disclosures are unavailable on the website.
Analysis / Bias
The Sanders Institute often promotes policies aligned with its progressive ideology and frequently republishes articles that reflect this stance. For example, “The Green New Deal Isn’t Outlandish. It Is a Necessity” was originally published in The Hill and republished by the institute. The article cites sources such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Politico, and The Washington Post; it focuses on advocacy and does not explore alternative viewpoints.
Similarly, an article titled “California Victory Against Big Oil Shows What’s Possible When We Fight” frames California’s legislative actions as a “profound victory” and uses loaded language to emphasize the perceived threat posed by the oil industry, describing it as “driven by profits and indifferent to the suffering of kids and communities” and accusing it of launching “misleading campaigns and political maneuvers.” It frames grassroots activism as a heroic struggle, with phrases like “we refused to be silenced” and “people power can triumph over corporate interests.” This framing focuses on advocacy and does not consider alternative perspectives, further reinforcing the institute’s strong progressive bias.
The article cites progressive sources such as Common Dreams and voices such as Nalleli Cobo and Jane Fonda that align with the environmental justice narrative, including statements from environmental activists and public officials involved in the legislation.
The articles are fact-based and cite credible sources, but the Sanders Institute’s strong ideological stance leads to selective information. This approach can cause a lack of context that does not tell the whole story. Based on this, we rate them mostly factual in their reporting rather than high.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate the Sanders Institute as left-biased due to its strong advocacy for progressive policies. The think tank is rated Mostly Factual in its reporting, as it generally uses credible sources but often frames issues to support its ideological perspective, limiting the inclusion of alternative viewpoints. (M. Huitsing 08/28/2024)
Source: https://sandersinstitute.org/
Last Updated on August 28, 2024 by Media Bias Fact Check
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