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 an appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage conservative causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Right Bias sources.
- Overall, the Center for Union Facts is a right-biased advocacy group with a pronounced anti-union stance. It claims to offer comprehensive data on U.S. labor unions, yet its content and campaigns uniformly criticize unions and lack transparency with funding.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT
Factual Reporting: MIXED
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The Center for Union Facts (CUF), operating the website UnionFacts.com, is an American interest group that maintains a critical stance towards labor unions. Founded by Richard Berman, a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs specialist, CUF is part of a network of nonprofit groups designed to disseminate corporate messages. Launched in February 2006, CUF has been active in commissioning studies on workers and unionization, supporting legislation to curb union influence, and running advertisements critical of unions.
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
CUF is closely associated with Richard Berman, a public affairs firm specializing in research, communications, and advertising. The organization’s funding comes from undisclosed companies, foundations, and individuals. Critics have raised concerns about the lack of transparency in funding, with unions accusing CUF of being a “paid attack dog” without disclosing its financial backers. While CUF does not disclose its donors, according to Influence Watch, tax filings confirm donations from the conservative Mercer Family Foundation ($150,000 in 2017), the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation ($125,000 in 2015), and the National Philanthropic Trust ($100,000 in 2017).
Analysis / Bias
The Center for Union Facts exhibits a clear bias against labor unions. The website’s content and campaigns consistently portray unions in a negative light, focusing on issues such as the decline in union membership, alleged corruption, and opposition to union-backed legislation. CUF’s advertisements have been criticized for using actors to depict union members and leaders negatively.
News stories on the website lead to a different website called LaborPains.org, which has the tagline “Because being in a union can be painful.” Articles and headlines often contain emotionally loaded language that portrays unions negatively, such as this SEIU Affiliate Workers United Defends Terrorism. This story is primarily sourced from social media.
Editorially, most stories view unions negatively, as evidenced by the organization’s advocacy for the Employee Rights Act and opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, which further demonstrates its anti-union bias. In general, the content on CUF is mostly fact-based; however, there is significant bias in favor of corporations and opposition to unions, indicating a right-leaning political bias.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years.
Overall, the Center for Union Facts is a right-biased advocacy group with a pronounced anti-union stance. It claims to offer comprehensive data on U.S. labor unions, yet its content and campaigns uniformly criticize unions and lack transparency with funding. (D. Van Zandt 11/09/2023)
Source: https://unionfacts.com/
Last Updated on November 9, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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