Africa News - Bias and Credibility - Media Bias/Fact Check

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 appeals 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 Africanews Left-Center Biased based on story selection that moderately favors the left. We also rate them as Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to poor sourcing techniques.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: France
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: TV Station
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Launched in 2016, Africanews is a pan-African TV channel that was based in Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo. However, in July 2020, they moved the operation to Lyon, France, home to their parent organization Euronews. The channel and website feature sub-African and international news and business stories in French and English. Africanews also offers programs, live streaming, VOD, and interactive services on the internet. The news channel is a subsidiary of France-based Euronews, which provides news from a European perspective. Michael Peters is the CEO of Euronews and Africanews.

Read our profile on France media and ownership.

Funded by / Ownership

Africanews is owned and was launched by Euronews, which is majority-owned (88%) by Media Globe Networks, owned by Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris. Africanews revenue is derived from advertising and subscription fees.

Analysis / Bias

In review, Africanews publishes articles with strong emotionally loaded language such as “Uganda: Troublemakers ‘will regret being born,’ police threaten voters,” and “Hero’s welcome for Tanzanian opposition leader.” Africanews states they have a network of correspondents across the continent; however, when you click on a journalist’s name who wrote the article, it goes to a broken link. For example, in this story titled “Congo authorities battling with huge floods,” the journalist’s name is “Jerry Fisayo-Bambi,” and his bio links to a Twitter account; however, the Twitter account does not exist. Some journalist names such as “Ignatius Annor” link directly to Africanews’ main Twitter page.

Africanews typically sources information through quotes rather than hyperlinks, such as in this article titled “Uganda: Troublemakers ‘will regret being born,’ police threaten voters” where they use quotes and interviews “That’s an environment that does not facilitate a free and fair election,” Oryem Nyeko, a researcher with Human Rights Watch in Uganda told Africanews.” Oryem Nyeko is a researcher in the Africa division of Human Rights Watch; however, Africanews didn’t link to his bio. Africanews covers world news through the AFP, such as “USA: Trump Admits Defeat After Congress Certifies Biden’s Victory.”

Editorially, Africanews does not publish op-eds; however, they typically report news from a European perspective “France promise continued support to Burkina Faso in fight against extremism,” and German new museum ignites colonial controversy. When reporting on United States politics, they tend to report negatively on former President Donald Trump, such as this US Outgoing President Finally Signs Much-Needed $900 COVID Relief Bill. They support the fight against climate change, gender equality, and gay rights from an issues perspective. The news is generally reported factually, though with poor sourcing and a left-leaning editorial bias.

Failed Fact Checks

None in the Last 5 years

Overall, we rate Africanews Left-Center Biased based on story selection that moderately favors the left. We also rate them as Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to poor sourcing techniques. (1/22/2017) Updated (M. Huitsing 10/06/2023)

Source: https://www.africanews.com/