Daily Source Bias Check: Rolling Stone

LEFT BIAS

These media sources are moderately to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation.  They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports and omit reporting of information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.

• Overall, we rate Rolling Stone Left Biased based on strongly left leaning editorial positions and High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing of information and a clean fact check record.

Detailed Report

Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
World Press Freedom Rank: USA 48/180

History

Rolling Stone is an American biweekly magazine and website that focuses on popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner, who is still the magazine’s publisher. Although they are primarily known as a Music Magazine, it has a long history of covering politics.  Its reporting can be very in-depth and well researched.

Funded by / Ownership

Rolling Stone is owned by Penske Media Corporation, which is a digital media publisher that publishes more than 20 brands including Variety and Deadline Hollywood. Revenue is generated through advertising and subscription sales.

Analysis / Bias

In review, Rolling Stone is a monthly magazine and website that covers music, pop culture and politics. Over the last 50+ years Rolling Stone has produced long form well researched journalism on a wide variety of topics, especially as it relates to politics. When it comes to political news, Rolling Stone does not shy from using loaded emotional wording that conveys a left leaning bias such as this: Trump Is Awfully Sensitive About His Confusing Immigration Deal With Mexico. This story is properly sourced to video of Trump as well as the credible New York Times. Another example of strongly emotional wording can be seen here: The Trump Administration Is Cooking Stats to Keep the Sick Sick and the Poor Poor.

Editorially, Rolling Stone almost always favors the left. In 2016, they endorsed Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The Guardian has described Rolling Stone as a “Liberal Cheerleader.” In general, Rolling Stone reports news factually and with proper sourcing, however their opinion pieces are consistently left biased.

A factual search reveals they have not failed a fact check.

Overall, we rate Rolling Stone Left Biased based on strongly left leaning editorial positions and High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing of information and a clean fact check record. (D. Van Zandt 8/23/2016) Updated (6/17/2019)

Source: https://www.rollingstone.com/

Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources