The American Conservative

AllSides Media Bias Rating™: Right
553/478
The bias meter value for The American Conservative is 4.00. -6 is the furthest "Left" value and 6 is the furthest "Right" value.
4.00
Right What does this mean?

How we determined this rating:

  • Independent Review
  • Editorial Review: Apr 2022
  • Community Feedback:   ratings
  • AllSides has medium confidence in this bias rating.

Unless otherwise noted, this bias rating refers only to online news coverage, not TV, print, or radio content.

Learn about our bias rating methods
The American Conservative
The American Conservative
Bias Rating Right
Type News Media
Region National
Owner American Ideas Institute
Established 2002
Website theamericanconservative.com
Twitter @amconmag
Facebook TheAmericanConservative
Wikipedia The American Conservative
What a Right Bias Rating Means

The source displays media bias in ways that strongly align with conservative, traditional, or right-wing thought and/or policy agendas. A Right rating is our most conservative rating on the political spectrum.

Learn more about Right ratings
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About The American Conservative's Bias Rating

The American Conservative is featured on the AllSides Media Bias Chart™.

The American Conservative is a news media source with an AllSides Media Bias Rating™ of Right.

The American Conservative (TAC) is a bi-monthly magazine published by the American Ideas Institute.

What a "Right" Rating Means

Sources with an AllSides Media Bias Rating of Right display media bias in ways that strongly align with conservative, traditional, or right-wing thought and/or policy agendas. A Right bias is the most conservative rating on the political spectrum.

Learn more about Right ratings

Bias Reviews

We use multiple methods to analyze sources. Learn how we rate media bias.

The American Conservative Rated Right in April 2022 Small Group Editorial Review

Small Group Editorial Review by members of the AllSides team determined that The American Conservative's rating should be moved from Lean Right to Right

During the review, the AllSides panel noted that TAC issued consistent and prominent assertions of a conservative/right-leaning perspective. A reviewer with a Lean Right bias noted that, as opposed to the GOP party-oriented National Review, "The American Conservative seems to moreso encompass the beliefs of the new, younger, more reactionary right-wing." A Center-rated reviewer described the outlet's bias as "decidedly different from the more sensational and egregious" bias in some other Right-rated outlets. A reviewer with a Lean Left bias noted that the outlet says on its About page that it wants to "reshape the Right, and move the political debate in more hopeful directions," and appears to denounce neo-conservativism. They noted The American Conservative advocated for calling opponents of Florida's Parental Rights in Education law, called the "Don't Say Gay" law by opponents, as "groomers." In a piece titled "Call Them Groomers," the writer stated, "By the left's theory of performative speech, teaching radical sexual theories to kids constitutes grooming."

Content clearly opposed neoconservatism, war-mongering, liberal interventionism, the military industrial complex, crony capitalism, monopolies, corruption, left-wing cultural revolutionaries, and political correctness (dubbed cultural Marxism). 

Reviewers noted that The American Conservative is explicit about its conservative bias, writing on its About page, "The American Conservative exists to advance a “Main Street” conservatism that opposes unchecked power in government and business, promotes the flourishing of families and communities through vibrant markets and free people, and embraces realism and restraint in foreign affairs based on America’s vital national interests."

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Community Feedback

Feedback does not determine ratings, but may trigger deeper review.

As of March 2024, people have voted on the AllSides Media Bias Rating for The American Conservative. On average, those who disagree with our rating think this source has a Lean Right bias.

Confidence Level

Confidence is determined by how many reviews have been applied and consistency of data.

As of March 2024, AllSides has medium confidence in our Right rating for The American Conservative. An Editorial Review or Blind Bias Survey has affirmed this rating, or multiple reviews have returned differing results. If we perform more bias reviews and gather consistent data, this confidence level will increase.

Additional Information

The American Conservative's About page contains several specific statements of its editorial bias, including...

  • Its mission is "recapturing the flag of the conservative movement" by adhering to its "institutional maxims" of "ideas over ideology" and "principles over party."
  • Desire to "reshape the Right" and "move the political debate in more hopeful directions."
  • Support of free enterprise, a strong military, strong families, local communities, voluntary associations, slower rates of immigration, religious liberties, restoring social capital, and "an honest and unvarnished understanding of our proud history and a joyful appreciation of America’s—and the West’s—fantastically rich cultural heritage."

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The American Conservative Ownership and Funding

Funding and ownership do not influence bias ratings. We rate the bias of content only.

Owner: American Ideas Institute

The American Conservative was founded by Pat Buchanan, Scott McConnell and Taki Theodoracopulos in 2002 in opposition to the Iraq War. The American Conservative is owned by the American Ideas Institute. Jeremy Beer is the Chairman of the Board of the American Ideas Institute.

Financing and ownership information last updated March 31, 2021 If you think this information is out of date or needs to be updated, please contact us.

Articles from The American Conservative

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