LEFT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources have a slight to moderate liberal bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes) to favor liberal causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Left-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate 20 Minutes as Left-Center biased based on story selection and editorial perspective, which slightly favors progressive perspectives. We also rate them as High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and as serving as an accredited fact-checker.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER (-2.9)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (0.8)
Country: France
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
20 Minutes France launched in 2002 as a commuter-focused free daily newspaper. It was originally designed to be read in under 20 minutes during transit, though the print edition ceased publication in September 2024. The outlet now operates exclusively as a digital news platform, serving eleven major French cities and offering localized news coverage in addition to national and international reporting. Its mission is to “inform seriously without taking itself seriously,” with an emphasis on concise, accessible journalism.
Read our profile on the French government and media.
Funded By / Ownership
20 Minutes is jointly owned by SIPA Ouest-France and Rossel France Investissement (Groupe Rossel). SIPA Ouest-France is controlled by the nonprofit L’Association Pour le Soutien des Principes de la Démocratie Humaniste, founded to protect editorial independence. Groupe Rossel owns several other media outlets in France and Belgium. The site is funded through advertising, sponsored content, event partnerships, and received €149,500 in public subsidies in 2023. Its editorial charter stresses neutrality, dignity, and inclusion.
Analysis / Bias
20 Minutes positions itself as a non-partisan news outlet with a stated commitment to neutrality and accuracy. Its ethics code bars reporters from injecting opinion, and articles tend to avoid editorializing even when covering controversial topics. The tone of reporting is often informal or “chatty,” but the substance generally remains fact-based and balanced.
In its coverage of current events, the site demonstrates minimal political bias. For instance, the article “Gaza Strip: ‘A second airdrop is ready’… France announces new humanitarian aid” neutrally presents statements from French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and President Emmanuel Macron without inserting opinion or criticism, which could be interpreted as slightly favorable to Macron but not overtly so. Similarly, the story “Global warming: The richest 10% are responsible for two-thirds of emissions” reports on findings from the journal Nature Climate Change in a factual manner, without sensationalism. The framing of inequality in climate responsibility reflects evidence-based reporting rather than ideological slant.
The site’s dedicated fact-checking vertical, Désintox (Fake Off), is accredited by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at the Poynter Institute. This team reviews claims circulated in social media and public discourse, offering facts with transparent sourcing.
Overall, while 20 Minutes does occasionally publish stories that reflect socially conscious framing (e.g., environmental inequality), it maintains a generally balanced tone with robust sourcing. Its coverage avoids hyper-partisan language or omission of key perspectives.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years. They are an IFCN fact checker.
Overall, we rate 20 Minutes as Left-Center biased based on story selection and editorial perspective, which slightly favors progressive perspectives. We also rate them as High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and as serving as an accredited fact-checker. (D. Van Zandt (08/03/2025)
Source: https://www.20minutes.fr/
Last Updated on August 3, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources