Resources Are Important for Ethical Leadership

Ethical leadership is a challenge at any time. Perhaps it is even more challenging during times of the wider political divide. And during these times, it is understandable if some citizens feel a sense of hopelessness. Nonetheless, there are resources available that can provide encouragement and support for ethical leaders and citizens. The following is a list of some of these resources. The list is in alphabetical order (not ranked) and LeaderEthics-Wisconsin is not specifically endorsing these resources. For the most part, their descriptions are taken from their website. We are encouraging our members to check them out.

AllSides - This site maintains a list of nearly 600 media outlets and writers. These outlets and writers are rated and placed into the following categories: Left, Lean Left, Center, Lean Right, Right and Mixed. The ratings are helpful to the media consumer. One can look at their favorite media sources and gain a better understanding of the messaging they are receiving. It also allow the consumer to seek out new media sources in the effort to develop a more balanced perspective. AllSides also does a Left, Center, Rightcomparison of  stories with similar topics. This is helpful in developing a more balanced perspective of controversial issues. AllSides also solicits reader feedback (What Do You Think?) in their ratings. As such, they may adjust ratings over time based upon feedback. Furthermore, the reader feedback is listed next to the AllSides rating. Website:

Ballotpedia - Ballotpedia is the digital encyclopedia of American politics and elections. Their goal is to inform people about politics by providing accurate and objective information about politics at all levels of government. They are committed to neutrality in their content. As a nonprofit, their mission is to educate. They pledge to be a resource for you when:

  • You're considering a run for office.
  • You're making decisions about how you'll vote in an election.

Ballotpedia's articles are written by a professional staff of more than 50 writers and researchers. They have an office in Middleton, Wisconsin, yet the majority of the staff work from home offices across the United States.

Braver Angels - Braver Angels is a national citizens’ movement to reduce political polarization in the United States by bringing liberals and conservatives together to understand each other beyond stereotypes, forming red/blue community alliances, teaching practical skills for communicating across political differences, and making a strong public argument for depolarization. Braver Angels is a 501c3 organization formed in December of 2016. They have a presence in most states in the U.S. Website:

Bi-partisan Policy Center - The Bipartisan Policy Center is a non-profit organization that (as they describe themselves) combines the best ideas from both parties to promote health, security, and opportunity for all Americans. BPC drives principled and politically viable policy solutions through the power of rigorous analysis, painstaking negotiation, and aggressive advocacy.

As a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that actively promotes bipartisanship, BPC works to address the key challenges facing the nation. The policy solutions are the product of informed deliberations by former elected and appointed officials, business and labor leaders, and academics and advocates who represent both ends of the political spectrum. They are currently focused on health, energy, national security, the economy, financial regulatory reform, housing, immigration, infrastructure, and governance.

BPC’s experts work  to find consensus and common ground. In addition, Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action), a 501(c)(4) affiliate, is committed to seeing bipartisan policy solutions enacted into law.  As such, BPC Action engages in aggressive advocacy and strategic outreach to unite Republicans and Democrats on polarizing issues. 


EnCiv - As described on the website, EnCiv is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization in the tradition of Benjamin Franklin’s Leather Apron Club.  The Leather Apron Club had the purpose of exchanging knowledge and discussing questions of politics, science, and values. EnCiv enhances a network of key civic organizations working for that same purpose.

FAIR - FAIR, the national media watch group, has been offering criticism of media bias and censorship since 1986. They pledge to work to invigorate the First Amendment by advocating for greater diversity in the press and by scrutinizing media practices that marginalize public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints.  FAIR believes that structural reform is ultimately needed to break up the dominant media conglomerates, establish independent public broadcasting and promote strong non-profit sources of information. Website:

The Fulcrum - The Fulcrum is a digital news organization focused exclusively on efforts to reverse the dysfunctions plaguing American democracy. They are nonprofit and nonpartisan. They develop original stories regarding the news and political topics gathered from across the country. Information about their stories is also presented in their opinion forum. Their focus is on money in politics, redistricting, voting rights, election access, government ethics, civic engagement and the imbalance of powers. Website:

Institute for Civility in Government - They are a grassroots, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to building civility in a society that all too often seems tilted toward uncivil speech and actions. The Institute does not endorse any political candidate, nor do they take a position on any issue. Their emphasis is civility training at the grassroots level. Website:

Media Bias/Fact Check (MB/FC) - This site rates various media sources. They are quite comprehensive with more than 3000 sources in their data base world-wide. They rate media sources in the following categories: Left, Left-Center, Least-Biased Right-Center and Right. They also also categorize media sources identified as: Pro-Science, Conspiracy-Pseudoscience, Questionable Sources and Satire. MB/FC provides an added service by rating the fact check organizations. Essentially, they fact check the fact checkers. Website:

Votesmart - Their stated mission is to provide free, factual, unbiased information on candidates and elected officials to ALL Americans. They are a non-partisan/non-profit organization and a rich source of data about candidates and elected officials. Website:

Once again, we emphasize this is not an all-inclusive list. But we hope you find these resources to be encouraging. LeaderEthics-Wisconsin differs from them, primarily with our focus on ethical leadership. But this serves as a reminder that the members of LeaderEthics-Wisconsin are not alone in our desire to improve our government and our democracy.

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