LEFT BIAS
These media sources are moderate 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 appealing to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate Bleeding Heartland as left-biased based on its editorial and advocacy positions, which align with a progressive perspective. While it avoids misinformation, its one-sided editorial stance and advocacy-driven style support a rating of “Mostly Factual” rather than “High”.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT (-6.8)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.3)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Bleeding Heartland is an independent, Iowa-focused political blog founded and edited by journalist and activist Laura Belin. The site covers local, state, and national political developments, with a strong emphasis on Iowa state government and elections. Its About page describes its mission as providing original reporting and progressive commentary for engaged readers across Iowa and beyond. The FAQ section further clarifies its editorial standards, reader engagement policies, and commitment to factual reporting with an explicitly progressive viewpoint.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
Bleeding Heartland is solely owned and operated by Laura Belin. It is funded through individual reader donations via credit card, PayPal, Patreon, Venmo, Substack, and mailed personal checks. While it avoids funding from political candidates or campaign staff, it is otherwise donation-driven without corporate sponsorship, shareholders, or a marketing division. This structure supports its editorial independence but limits financial transparency beyond the owner’s public identity.
Analysis / Bias
Bleeding Heartland is a strongly progressive news site with a consistent left-leaning editorial stance. Most articles combine political reporting with advocacy. For example, “Who’s who in the Iowa House for 2024” is a nonpartisan legislative breakdown, but subsequent analysis in other posts reflects a Democratic policy lens.
The piece “Dutch devotion belies Trump’s message to West Point grads” sharply criticizes Donald Trump’s speech, presenting him as unfit to lead. Similarly, “Former Iowa judges condemn Trump administration’s attacks on judiciary” amplifies judicial rebukes of Trump’s rhetoric.
The editorial stance also extends to social justice, as in “Iowans need to step up and be LGBTQ allies”, which advocates strongly for LGBTQ rights. Environmental reporting, such as “As climate change produces excess moisture, crop insurance costs balloon”, focuses on the economic consequences of climate inaction and urges reform. While the site sources data and official records, the commentary often lacks opposing views and leans heavily on emotional appeals aligned with progressive advocacy.
Failed Fact Check
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate Bleeding Heartland as left-biased based on its editorial and advocacy positions, which align with a progressive perspective. While it avoids misinformation, its one-sided editorial stance and advocacy-driven style support a rating of “Mostly Factual” rather than “High”. (D. Van Zandt 06/09/2025)
Source: https://www.bleedingheartland.com/
Last Updated on June 9, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
Do you appreciate our work? Please consider one of the following ways to sustain us.
or
Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources