Baltimore Sun – Bias and Credibility

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.

Detailed Report

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

History

Founded in 1837, The Baltimore Sun is the largest general-circulation daily newspaper based in the American state of Maryland. It provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries.

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

David Smith, executive chairman of Sinclair and owner of over 180 local stations, acquired The Baltimore Sun, Capital Gazette, and several other Maryland publications in January 2024 from Tribune Publishing, previously owned by Alden Global Capital’s MediaNews Group, with conservative commentator Armstrong Williams as a minority shareholder. Advertising and subscription fees generate revenue.

Analysis / Bias

The Baltimore Sun publishes news with minimally loaded language through the use of journalists. Headlines reflect the content of the story such as this Baltimore County Public Schools investigating Pikesville High principal’s alleged ‘highly offensive’ recording. All information is well-sourced to credible media and investigative journalists. National news is primarily derived from the Associated Press.

Editorially, the Baltimore Sun almost always endorses Democratic candidates, and opinion pieces consistently lean left such as this Climate change must be on top of the General Assembly agenda this year | STAFF COMMENTARY. However, with a change in ownership with known ties to conservative causes, it is not yet clear what impact it will have on the editorial direction of the Baltimore Sun. For example, Tax records show Smith’s foundation has donated to the conservative group Project Veritas, which is best known for making hidden camera stings on media and liberal figures.

MBFC will update the bias rating as we monitor the direction of the paper.

Failed Fact Checks

• None in the Last 5 years

Overall, we rate the Baltimore Sun as Left-Center biased based on editorial positions that favor the left and High for factual reporting. (7/29/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 01/18/2024)

Source: https://www.baltimoresun.com/