The 74 (the74million.org) – Bias and Credibility

The 74 - Left-Center Bias - Democrat - Liberal - Progressive - CredibleFactual Reporting: High - Credible - Reliable


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 appeals 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 The 74 Left-Center biased based on editorial positions that moderately align with the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic

MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Founded in 2015 by Campbell Brown, a former CNN anchor, The 74 is a nonprofit news organization covering America’s education system from early childhood through college and career. Campbell Brown is an advocate for charter schools in the USA. According to their about page, “Our mission is to lead an honest, fact-based conversation about how to give American students the skills, support, and social mobility they deserve. Backed by data, investigation, and expertise.”

Read our profile on the United States media and government.

Funded by / Ownership

The 74 is a nonprofit organization that is funded through donations. Initial funding came from the DeVos Family Foundation. Betsy DeVos served as former President Trump’s education secretary until after the January 6th, 2021, Capitol Riot. She resigned when she told former President Donald Trump in a letter that “there is no mistaking the impact your rhetoric had” on the violent riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Other funders include Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, Poynter-Koch Media and Journalism Fellowship, and the Walton Family Foundation.

Analysis / Bias

The 74 publishes news, analysis, and opinion regarding education issues in the USA. Articles and headlines use minimally loaded emotional wording, such as this 4 Big Takeaways on the Pandemic’s Mixed Effects on NYC Students’ Test Scores. This story is sourced correctly using credible outlets such as Chalkbeat, Edsource, and CBS News. A review of sourcing across numerous articles reveals consistent use of credible media sources.



Editorially, The 74 adheres to a code of ethics in which donors do not dictate editorial coverage. The website appropriately labels opinion content and does not promote overtly biased commentary such as this 10 Tips to Help Community Organizations Bring Needed Services into Schools. However, a full review of op-eds reveals more favor a liberal perspective such as this Time to Make Free School Lunch Programs Permanent — and Open to All and Educator’s View: My Former TX District Has Collapsed into Cruelty and Absurdity. This last story is very negative toward conservatives with a quote that reads:

Recently, a school board majority of four radical conservatives, elected with the help of a big bucket of dark money from west Texas billionaires and a “Christian” cell phone service-provider, voted into existence a raft of policies that will harm students, teachers and families. 

While the left and unions initially criticized the organization for its advocacy for school choice, they have since focused on all educational issues, including racism and inequality. Generally, all content is fact-based and holds a slight left-leaning editorial bias.

Failed Fact Checks

  • None in the Last 5 years

Overall, we rate The 74 Left-Center biased based on editorial positions that moderately align with the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (D. Van Zandt 10/01/2022)

Source: https://www.the74million.org/

Last Updated on June 30, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check


Do you appreciate our work? Please consider one of the following ways to sustain us.

MBFC Ad-Free 

or

MBFC Donation




Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources

Found this insightful? Please consider sharing on your Social Media: