US Government Accountability Office (GAO) – Bias and Credibility

US Government Accountability Office (GAO) - Least Biased - CredibleFactual Reporting: High - Credible - Reliable


LEAST BIASED

These sources have minimal bias and use very few loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using an appeal to emotion or stereotypes).  The reporting is factual and usually sourced.  These are the most credible media sources. See all Least Biased Sources.

  • Overall, we rate GAO as Least Biased due to non-partisanship and High for factual reporting based on proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEAST BIASED
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

The GAO was established as the General Accounting Office by the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921. The act required the head of the GAO to “investigate, at the seat of government or elsewhere, all matters relating to the receipt, disbursement, and application of public funds, and shall make to the President and to Congress reports and recommendations looking to greater economy or efficiency in public expenditures.”

According to the GAO’s current mission statement, the agency exists to support Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and to help improve the performance and ensure the federal government’s accountability for the benefit of the American people. The General Accountability Office is overseen by Eugene Louis DodaroComptroller General of the United States.

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is a legislative branch government agency that has an annual budget of more than $500 million dollars.

Analysis / Bias

The Government Accountability Office provides auditing, evaluation, and investigative services for the United States Congress. It is the primary audit institution of the federal government of the USA and is known as the “Congressional Watchdog.” Put simply, GAO tries to prevent wasteful spending of tax dollars.



In review, GAO does not use loaded language and always presents researched information. Sourced information comes from the Congressional Budget Office and other government accounting agencies. This is a low-biased information source that is used by Congress when passing bills and budgets.

Failed Fact Checks

  • None in the Last 5 years; they are used as a resource by fact-checkers.

Overall, we rate GAO as Least Biased due to non-partisanship and High for factual reporting based on proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (D. Van Zandt 9/26/2018) Updated (11/26/2022)

Source: https://www.gao.gov

Last Updated on July 1, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check


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