United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 1968
Ownership
Reason magazine was founded in 1968 by Lanny Friedlander and since 1978 has been published by the Reason Foundation, a Los Angeles-based libertarian think tank established by Robert Poole. The foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, owns and operates the magazine and reason.com; its board of trustees has historically included prominent libertarian donors, with the late David H. Koch listed among its trustees.
Funding
The Reason Foundation is supported by tax-deductible donations and the sale of its publications. Disclosed giving has included large contributions from Koch-network sources such as the David H. Koch Charitable Foundation and from the Sarah Scaife Foundation, alongside other libertarian and conservative donors.
Affiliation & stance
Reason is an explicitly libertarian publication advancing free markets, individual liberty and limited government, and it is owned by an advocacy think tank rather than a neutral commercial publisher. While the magazine is editorially independent of any party or government, its control by the donor-funded Reason Foundation (with Koch-linked backing) supports a DEPENDENT classification as a think-tank/ideologically-funded outlet, with a CENTER_RIGHT (libertarian) lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Conservative
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 421
67/100
Factual
58/100
Objective
476
Articles
471
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
The data center fight is hitting a fever pitch. Here's how they actually work
Data centers, which serve as the backbone of internet services and AI development, are facing growing public opposition due to concerns over their environmental impact and resource consumption. With thousands already built and more under construction across the United States, critics highlight issues such as high water usage, reliance on fossil fuels, and potential harm to local communities. This opposition has reached political levels, with Republican lawmakers expressing concern over how anti-data center sentiment might affect electoral outcomes. Meanwhile, activists and celebrities have joined the movement, including a notable campaign encouraging the submission of urine samples to data centers as a form of protest. Despite these challenges, data centers remain essential for modern digital life, enabling everything from streaming video to online gaming.
Today in Supreme Court History: August 21, 1798
The article is an advertisement for Reason magazine, promoting a special offer for subscribers during America's 250th anniversary. It highlights the magazine as a source of 'honest, insightful news and analysis' and encourages readers to celebrate independence by subscribing. The content does not discuss any news event or provide substantive information about current affairs.
Check Out the National High School Law Review, Vol. II
The article announces the release of Volume II of the National High School Law Review, a publication by Studium, a project led by its Constitutional Law Advisory Board which includes prominent legal figures such as Jeffrey Rosen, Nadine Strossen, Diane Wood, Doug Ginsburg, and Adam White. The volume features essays on various constitutional law topics, including liberty theory, interpretation methods, campaign finance, religious practices in schools, and digital privacy. The founder, Olivia Eve Gross, highlights the initiative's growth into a national movement involving students and educators across the country, emphasizing its role in fostering critical thinking and constitutional engagement among high school students.
Today in Supreme Court History: August 22, 1998
This article is part of a promotional piece by Reason magazine celebrating America's 250th anniversary. It offers a subscription deal for two years of Reason magazine at a discounted price of $17.76. The content focuses on encouraging readers to subscribe to Reason as a reliable source of news and analysis. No specific historical event related to the Supreme Court is discussed in the provided text.
This Mamdani-Backed Bill Would Kill Jobs, Boost Unions, and Make Deliveries More Expensive
The 'Delivery Protection Act' is a proposed New York City ordinance that would require companies like Amazon and FedEx to directly hire employees for last-mile delivery instead of using subcontractors. Introduced by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the bill aims to improve safety by reducing staff turnover and shifting liability to Amazon. However, critics point out that Amazon has already invested heavily in safety improvements, including advanced training facilities and equipment, leading to a significant reduction in accident rates. While the bill is supported by labor unions such as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the New York City Central Labor Council, data suggests that Amazon's subcontractors operate within industry safety standards. The legislation could increase delivery costs for consumers and potentially limit flexibility for delivery services.
En Banc Fifth Circuit Dismisses Alien Enemies Act Case as Moot
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit dismissed the case 'W.M.M. v. Trump' as moot, ruling that the legal challenge to President Donald Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to deport Venezuelans accused of being part of a drug trafficking organization is no longer active. The case centered on whether the AEA, which permits detention and deportation during wartime or in cases of invasion or predatory incursion, could be applied to non-military activities like illegal immigration and drug smuggling. The court determined that the named plaintiffs had already been deported under separate statutory provisions, making the case procedurally moot. While the dismissal does not resolve the core legal question regarding the AEA’s interpretation, it effectively ends the judicial review of Trump’s executive actions under the statute. The author of the article, which argues that 'invasion' in the AEA must be understood as a military attack rather than non-violent activities, highlights the potential constitutional risks of expanding the AEA’s scope.
Open Thread
The article is an advertisement for Reason magazine's July 4th special offer, promoting a subscription deal that provides two years of access for $17.76. It positions Reason as a reliable source for 'honest, insightful news and analysis,' aligning with its brand identity as a libertarian publication. The content does not include any substantive news reporting but rather serves as a promotional piece. There is no mention of specific events, policies, or controversies, making it purely an advertising message.
Video of My Keynote Speech at the Annual Libertarian Futurist Society Prometheus Award Ceremony
The article describes the speaker's keynote speech at the Libertarian Futurist Society's Prometheus Awards ceremony, where they discussed the prevalence of libertarian ideas in science fiction and fantasy literature. The speech highlighted why these ideologies are more common in sci-fi compared to other genres and explored potential lessons for libertarians. The speaker also presented the Prometheus Hall of Fame Award to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World,' which was accepted by a representative of the Huxley estate and two of his grandchildren. The speaker mentioned a 2011 article that expanded on similar themes and expressed interest in revisiting the topic in the future.
Intern (Actually a Project Veritas Undercover Plant) in Political Organization Didn't Have "Fiduciary Duty" to Organization
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that an individual employed by Project Veritas, who had infiltrated a political organization called Democracy Partners under false pretenses, was not considered a 'fiduciary' of the organization. The court rejected the argument that the individual, Maass, owed a fiduciary duty to Democracy Partners, emphasizing that there was no evidence she held any formal authority or power to act on the organization’s behalf. The ruling focused on the lack of any explicit agreements or demonstrated responsibilities that would qualify her as a fiduciary. The case centered around whether Maass’s covert recording of internal conversations constituted a violation of wiretapping laws, which depend on the existence of a fiduciary relationship.
Damages Award Stemming from Project Veritas Project Set Aside by D.C. Circuit
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has set aside damages awarded to Democracy Partners, LLC in a lawsuit against James O'Keefe, founder of Project Veritas. The case centered around undercover investigations conducted by Project Veritas in 2016, during which an investigator posing as a political consultant infiltrated a Democratic political event in Milwaukee. The investigator, Christian Hartsock, pretended to represent a fictitious client seeking to orchestrate a voter fraud scheme involving out-of-state voters and illegal immigrants. At the event, Hartsock met Scott Foval, a Democratic political consultant, who provided detailed advice on executing such a scheme, including transporting fraudulent voters to polling locations and staging protests at Republican rallies. Foval also mentioned Bob Creamer, another Democratic consultant, as someone involved in similar activities. Project Veritas continued its investigation, arranging meetings between Hartsock and Creamer under false pretenses, with further recordings made. The court ruled that the damages awarded were improperly calculated, prompting the appeal.
Harry and Meghan's Security Problem Is Really a Gun-Control Problem
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly returning to the United Kingdom after residing in the U.S. for over six years. Their decision has reignited discussions about their security concerns, particularly regarding the limitations of British gun laws. Harry previously stated he would not return to the UK due to safety risks, noting that the royal family had abandoned their duty of care. After losing publicly funded security upon stepping down from royal duties, Harry sought a judicial review and offered to cover costs privately, but the request was denied. The article argues that their return highlights the restrictive nature of UK firearm regulations, which prohibit most handguns and limit legal gun ownership to less than 1% of the population. It critiques the government’s stance that self-defense is not a valid reason for firearm possession, despite allowing certain professionals like bodyguards to carry weapons.
Trump Administration Plans New Facility To House 3,000 Migrant Kids. Many of Them Lack Legal Representation.
The Trump administration is planning to construct a new detention facility capable of housing 3,000 unaccompanied migrant children, amid concerns about their lack of legal representation. Over 6,200 children have been detained since the start of Trump's second term, and legal challenges persist due to poor conditions in existing facilities. The proposed 'Emergency Intake Facility' would house up to eight children per room with shared sanitation facilities. While the administration claims the facility is part of standard procedures, advocacy groups argue it reflects a broader strategy to target unaccompanied minors. A major federal contract providing legal services to these children has expired, effectively dismantling a network of legal support, with the Acacia Center for Justice rejecting a replacement contract due to confidentiality concerns. Federal law mandates legal representation for unaccompanied children, but recent actions suggest systemic gaps in compliance.
Trump Once Promised International Students Green Cards. Now The Government Might Charge Them $100,000 To Work.
The U.S. government is considering imposing a $100,000 fee on international students who wish to work in the United States after completing their degrees, according to government records. This proposal, initially reported by the Wall Street Journal, follows a shift from former President Donald Trump's earlier promise to grant green cards to graduates. The fee would apply to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows international students to work for up to three years post-graduation. Critics argue that such a fee would deter talented international students from staying in the U.S., potentially harming both the economy and innovation sectors. The move aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to restrict legal immigration, including previously attempted fees on H-1B visa applications, which faced legal challenges. Experts suggest that while the administration claims to target 'abuse,' the new fee might inadvertently encourage misuse of other programs like H-1B.