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RFK Jr moves to ease access to unapproved peptides despite opposition from FDA scientists

US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has moved to let compounding pharmacies make six popular peptides that have not been approved by the FDA, while a formal rule is drafted. FDA scientists opposed the move, according to reports.

L 62% · C 15% · R 23% · 13 outlets

Left 0 · Centre-left 8 · Centre 2 · Centre-right 2 · Right 1

How each side framed it

Left-leaning outlets

Left-rated outlets headline it: “RFK Jr. eases access to unproven peptides despite opposition from FDA scientists” (Associated Press); “FDA scientists opposed Trump administration’s move to ease peptide access” (The Guardian).

Centre outlets

Centre-rated outlets headline it: “US Health Secretary RFK Jr to expand access to unapproved peptides” (BBC News); “HHS to allow sale of unapproved peptides under review” (The Hill).

Right-leaning outlets

Right-rated outlets headline it: “RFK Jr. to ease access to unapproved peptides, draft policy states” (CBS News); “RFK Jr. Allows Unapproved Peptides on the Market” (Wall Street Journal).

Context

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Sources by lean

Balanced: the same number of articles from the left, the centre and the right (up to 3 each). The bar above still counts every rated outlet we found. Bias and factual ratings come from Media Bias/Fact Check. How we balance · All ratings.

Showing 2 from each side of 13 rated outlets (L 8 / C 2 / R 3). Capped at 2 because that is all we found on the thinnest side. More coverage

Video

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Deep dive

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Follow the money

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Who owns or funds the outlets covering this story (12 outlets)
OutletLeanOwnership & funding (MBFC)
Associated PressCentre-leftThe Associated Press (AP) is a nonprofit news cooperative with a profit of $1.6 million in 2016. It also sells content to other media organizations. According to an article titled “ AP reports loss on one-time accounting charges,” t he Associated Press lost $74 million in 2017, and it states the reason as “mostly due to one-time accounting charges related to the federal tax overhaul passed late last year.” source
NBC NewsCentre-leftNo ownership data found
NPRCentre-leftAccording to a Columbia Journalism Review article dated 2010, a large portion of NPR’s revenue comes from dues and fees paid by Member stations and corporate sponsorships. In another article by Columbia Journalism Review, they state that as of 2017, NPR receives less than 1 percent of its total funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting(CPB). source
New York TimesCentre-leftThe Ochs-Sulzberger family controls the New York Times through Class B shares. Since 1967, the company has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYT. Class B shares are those that are held privately. source
The GuardianCentre-leftThe Guardian and its companion publication, the Sunday newspaper The Observer, are owned by Guardian Media Group plc (GMG). Scott Trust Limited was created in 1936 to ensure the editorial independence of the publications and owns Guardian Media Group plc (GMG). source
TimeCentre-leftTime Magazine is owned by Marc and Lynne Benioff and is funded through subscriptions, sponsored content, and advertising sales. source
USA TodayCentre-leftUSA Today is owned by the Gannett Company, headquartered in McLean, Virginia. It is one of the largest newspaper publishers in the United States, with interests in newspapers, digital marketing services companies, and television broadcasting. Subscriptions and advertising generate revenue. source
Washington PostCentre-leftIn 2013, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos bought The Washington Post for $250 million. Bezos is a frequent target of Trump, who has accused the businessman of using the Postal System as its “ Delivery Boy. ” The newspaper’s executive editor, Martin Baron, said Jeff Bezos, who founded Amazon, is not involved in its news coverage. source
BBC NewsCentreThe BBC operates under a Royal Charter. Oversight is managed by the BBC Board, and regulatory authority rests with Ofcom. source
The HillCentreIn 2021, The Hill was purchased by Nexstar, which owns around 200 TV stations and media outlets nationwide. The founder, chairman, president, and CEO of Nexstar is Perry A. Sook. source
CBS NewsCentre-rightCBS News is owned by Paramount Global, which was formerly controlled by National Amusements, Inc., the holding company of the Redstone family. In 2025, Paramount entered into a merger agreement with Skydance Media, effectively ending the Redstones’ majority control. CBS News generates revenue primarily through advertising and affiliate broadcasting fees..push({}); source
Wall Street JournalCentre-rightIn 2007, The Bancroft family and relatives sold the Wall Street Journal to Rupert Murdoch for 5 billion dollars. Rupert Murdoch also purchased its parent company, Dow Jones & Co., through News Corporation. Subscriptions and advertising fund the Wall Street Journal. source