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 appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports and omit reporting of information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.

• Overall, we rate SourceWatch Left biased based on editorial positions that routinely favor the left. We also rate them as Mostly Factual rather than High due to one-sided reporting designed to denigrate the right.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
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 2004, SourceWatch is a Wiki that aims to produce a directory of public relations firms, think tanks, industry-funded organizations, and industry-friendly experts that work to influence public opinion and public policy on behalf of corporations, governments, and special interest groups. SourceWatch primarily covers the actions of the right.

Read our profile on United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

SourceWatch is owned by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), which is a progressive nonprofit watchdog and advocacy organization based in Madison, Wisconsin. CMD has been documented to be funded by the Open Societies Foundation (Soros) and the Tides Foundation.

Analysis / Bias

In review, SourceWatch reports on the funding, spending, and political orientation of corporations, interest groups and lobby organizations. They typically focus on right-leaning conservative groups, especially those connected to Koch Industries. While SourceWatch does not use loaded wording, they do consistently favor the left. According to the right-leaning Influence Watch “SourceWatch is a project of the liberal non-profit Center for Media and Democracy (CMD). The purpose of the website from its inception has been to track conservative individuals and organizations in order to serve SourceWatch’s liberal political agenda.” A review of SourceWatch reveals that statement to be mostly accurate. While Influence Watch is clearly opposing SourceWatch, they are accurate in refuting them. Is SourceWatch credible? Yes, but they are one-sided in their reports, and this bias must be considered.

Failed Fact Checks

• None in the Last 5 years

Overall, we rate SourceWatch Left biased based on editorial positions that routinely favor the left. We also rate them as Mostly Factual rather than High due to one-sided reporting designed to denigrate the right. (8/15/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 07/31/2023)

Source: https://www.sourcewatch.org/