These media sources are slightly to moderately conservative in 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 conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation.  See all Right-Center sources.

• Overall, we rate The Center Square Right-Center Biased based on editorial positions that moderately favor a right-libertarian perspective. We also rate them as Mostly Factual rather than High due to a lack of transparency with funding.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

The Center Square, formerly watchdog.org, is a network of American news websites that features reporting on state and local government from a conservative perspective. It is a project of the Franklin News Foundation, an online news organization. According to their about page, “The focus of our work is state- and local-level government and economic reporting. A taxpayer sensibility distinguishes our work from other coverage of state and local issues. As a result of this approach, our readers are better informed about the focus of state and local government and its cost to the citizens whose tax dollars fund governmental decisions.”

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

The Center Square is owned and published by the Franklin News Foundation, a nonprofit funded through donations. In the past, funding came from Donor’s Trust and Donors Capital Fund. However, at present, they lack transparency and do not clearly list how they are funded.

Analysis / Bias

In review, The Center Square reports on national politics and on 27 state legislatures. Most stories are original and do not use loaded emotional wording such as this Tennessee Democrats call for $1B investment toward a ‘Path to Recovery’ as well as this Proposed legislation would provide financial benefit for Tennessee health care workers. Neither of these stories source from external hyperlinks.

Editorially, under the opinion tab, they routinely favor the right with stories such as this Op-Ed: Hiding Biden – How Democrats crafted the first impeachment, helping defeat Trump in 2020 with media help and this Op-Ed: New York continues to move tax rates in the wrong direction. When it comes to science, they do not deny climate change but do support the energy sector and more free-market solutions Oil and gas industry in New Mexico, other states issue warnings against suspending leasing on federal lands. In general, the news is reported factually and with right-leaning libertarian bias.

Failed Fact Checks

• None in the Last 5 years

Overall, we rate The Center Square Right-Center Biased based on editorial positions that moderately favor a right-libertarian perspective. We also rate them as Mostly Factual rather than High due to a lack of transparency with funding. (D. Van Zandt 1/22/2017) Updated (10/28/2022)

Source: https://www.thecentersquare.com/