The College Fix Investigation Uncovers Millions in University Contributions to ‘The Conversation’
A recent investigation by The College Fix reveals that numerous public universities are collectively contributing millions of dollars annually to The Conversation, a news site that, despite its claims of impartiality, allegedly publishes a significant number of articles with a negative bias toward Donald Trump.
The analysis, which reviewed 53 articles about Trump published on the site between January 9 and February 14, 2025, found that about 60% of the content was critical, while none was explicitly positive. The methodology for the study involved identifying emotionally charged language and direct comparisons of Trump to terms like “dictator” and “fascist.”
READ: UF Scientist Unlocks The Power Of Soil Microbes To Transform Florida Agriculture
According to The Fix, these university contributions make up about 25% of The Conversation’s funding, with the outlet reporting over $2.6 million in membership fees for its latest fiscal year.
Public records requests from several universities, including Michigan State and West Virginia University, showed annual payments in the $40,000 to $45,000 range.
“The Fix also sent inquiries to several public universities located in predominantly conservative states, identified as funding partners of The Conversation. These universities included Boise State University, the University of Florida, Auburn University, Florida International University, and Georgia Institute of Technology,” wrote Ana Hathaway of The Fix.
The analysis suggests that if all 52 public universities listed as members paid similar fees, the total would exceed $2 million. The investigation also found that founding member universities receive benefits like priority review for their professors’ submissions.
The Conversation’s executive editor, Beth Daley, told The College Fix that the organization is a non-profit with a commitment to “editorial independence” and a “non-partisan mission,” and is “always open to feedback.” However, she did not directly address the study’s findings regarding the site’s political slant or the amount of money received from universities.
READ: Florida Gov. DeSantis Announces “Deportation Depot,” A Second Migrant Detention Center
Jeffrey McCall, a professor of journalism at Depauw University, commented on the findings, stating that while The Conversation can be a helpful platform for academics, it should “provide a balanced range of input and perspectives, and to avoid abstract and hostile language.”
He noted that any bias found on the site might reflect the general political leanings of modern academia. McCall encouraged The Conversation to review the study’s results, calling external critique “a healthy thing for any platform.” He concluded that if the site cannot live up to its non-partisan mission, it should rebrand as a “left-of-center news outlet.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
