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 Ahval News Left-Center biased based on story selection and editorial positions opposed to Turkey’s right-leaning government. We also rate them Mixed for factual reporting due to a lack of transparency regarding funding and accusations of promoting propaganda.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: MIXED
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Founded in 2017, Ahval is an online news website that primarily reports on Turkey and provides Turkish, English, and Arabic content. Based in Cyprus, its Editor-in-Chief is Yavuz Baydar, Managing Editor for Ahval Arabic is Ghassan Ibrahim, Executive Editor for Ahval English is Ilhan Tanir, and Salwa Rezgi is the publisher.
Funded by / Ownership
Ahval News Ltd. Ahval News owns the website does not disclose how they are funded, nor is there any evidence that the website generates revenue through advertising. According to Quatara.de, they may be subsidized by the United Arab Emirates. Further, Al-Monitor reports that the UAE used Ahval as a counter-propaganda tool against Turkey’s president. They state, “This website is financed by the Arab Weekly, in other words, by the UAE. This media group, owned by the UAE, declared total war against Turkey.”
Analysis / Bias
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the president of Turkey. He is the Justice and Development Party (AKP) leader, which is the ruling conservative political party in Turkey.
According to freedomhouse.org, Ahval news has been blocked in Turkey by The Turkish Telecommunications Authority (BTK) (Turkey’s Internet watchdog). Ahval news has also been criticized as being close to or linked to U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen by the pro-government Turkish daily Sabah.
In review, Ahval News publishes articles critical of the Erdogan government with emotionally loaded language such as “Erdoğan’s dictatorship driving Turkey toward dead end” and “A dangerous vortex in Turkey.” When it comes to sourcing, Ahval News often hyperlinks to itself and credible sources such as Washington Post, Portland Press Herald, Vox, Bloomberg, Axios, and factually mixed sources such as Newsweek. When covering world news pertaining to the USA, they cover the Trump administration with a critical tone, such as in this article “Trump’s Turkey ties show broader pattern of abuses of power – senator.” In general, their reports are rooted in fact; however, they have a very strong anti-Erdogan bias that has been described as counter-propaganda.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate Ahval News Left-Center biased based on story selection and editorial positions that are opposed to Turkey’s right-leaning government. We also rate them Mixed for factual reporting due to a lack of transparency regarding funding and accusations of promoting propaganda. (M. Huitsing 12/12/2019) Update 01/08/2022)
Source: https://ahvalnews.com/
Last Updated on May 16, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources
