LEFT-CENTER BIAS
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 appealing 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 Sapiens as Left-Center biased based on editorial positions that favor the left. We also rate them Pro-Science and High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: United States
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Magazine
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Founded in 2016, Sapiens is a digital magazine covering anthropology. According to their about page, the “mission is to bring anthropology—the study of being human—to the public, to make a difference in how people see themselves and the people around them. Our objective is to deepen your understanding of the human experience by exploring exciting, novel, thought-provoking, and unconventional ideas. Through news coverage, features, commentaries, reviews, photo essays, and much more, we work closely with anthropologists and journalists to craft intriguing and innovative ways of sharing the discipline with a worldwide audience.”
The website provides a staff page that indicates Chip Colwell is the Editor-in-Chief.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
Sapiens is fully funded by the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, Inc, which is a “private operating foundation dedicated to the advancement of anthropology throughout the world.” The website is also supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation, which is known for funding interdisciplinary research and educational programs.
Analysis / Bias
In review, Sapiens publishes news about anthropology. Most information is science-based and free from bias, such as this: Should the Story of Homo’s Dispersal Out of Africa Be Rewritten? This story, like all others, is properly sourced to either credible media outlets or scientific publications.
Sapiens also publishes editorials that are negative toward the Trump administration, such as this: A Field Guide to Trump’s Swamp. Further, the website features a section called Culture Lab that looks at social issues from a left-leaning perspective, Are Mixed-Income Neighborhoods the Best Answer for Public Housing?
When first reviewing this site, I felt it would belong in our pro-science category as almost everything is science-based. However, Sapiens also publishes a lot of political content that falls to the left of the center.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate Sapiens as Left-Center biased based on editorial positions that favor the left. We also rate them Pro-Science and High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (D. Van Zandt 9/19/2019) Updated (11/27/2023)
Source: https://www.sapiens.org
Last Updated on November 27, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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