Environmental Working Group (EWG) - Bias and Credibility (original) (raw)

Sources in the Conspiracy-Pseudoscience category may publish unverifiable information that is not always supported by evidence. These sources may be untrustworthy for credible/verifiable information; therefore, fact-checking and further investigation is recommended on a per article basis when obtaining information from these sources. See all Conspiracy-Pseudoscience sources.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT-PSEUDOSCIENCEFactual Reporting: MIXED Country: USA MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE Media Type: Organization/Foundation Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: LOW CREDIBILITY

History

Founded in 1992, The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is an American environmental organization specializing in research and advocacy for toxic chemicals, agricultural subsidies, public lands, and corporate accountability. EWG is a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) whose mission, according to its website, is “to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment.”

The group also has a lobbying arm called EWG Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) corporation that promotes policy change.

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

EWG is a non-profit organization (501(c)(3), funded through donations. They are transparent, indicating the following donors David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, Turner Foundation, and others. They also list corporate partners as Organic Valley, Stonyfield Farms, Earthbound Farms, Applegate, Klean Kanteen, Dr. Bronner Soaps, Beautycounter, Juice Beauty, and Brown Advisory.

Analysis / Bias

The Environmental Working Group publishes a list of the “Dirty Dozen” fruits and vegetables that contain the most pesticides. The list is based on data from the Pesticide Program Residue Monitoring of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While many of the articles on this website are factual, many fall into the pseudoscience category, such as promoting the cell phone-cancer link when there is no evidence to support it. Due to pesticides, they often promote organic foods, which does not consider that numerous pesticides are used in organic farming. They also oppose GMOs, which go against the consensus of science regarding safety.

Editorially, EWG aligns with the left regarding environmental issues, often promoting pseudoscience.

Failed Fact Checks

Overall, we rate the Environmental Working Group Left Biased as a strong Pseudoscience website based on the promotion of ideas and claims that oppose scientific consensus. (D. Van Zandt 5/10/2017) Updated (05/07/2024)

Source: https://www.ewg.org/