QUESTIONABLE SOURCE
A questionable source exhibits one or more of the following: extreme bias, consistent promotion of propaganda/conspiracies, poor or no sourcing to credible information, a complete lack of transparency, and/or is fake news. Fake News is the deliberate attempt to publish hoaxes and/or disinformation for profit or influence (Learn More). Sources listed in the Questionable Category may be untrustworthy and should be fact-checked on a per-article basis. Please note sources on this list are not considered fake news unless specifically written in the reasoning section for that source. See all Questionable sources.
- Overall, we rate Cairns News as Far-Right Biased due to its promotion of conspiratorial content, inflammatory political rhetoric, and frequent alignment with anti-government, anti-globalist narratives. We rate its reporting as Questionable and Low for factual accuracy due to its publication of false claims, lack of source transparency, and disregard for standard journalistic practices.
Detailed Report
Questionable Reasoning: Propaganda, Conspiracy, Poor Sourcing, Failed Fact Checks, Lack of Transparency
Bias Rating: EXTREME RIGHT
Factual Reporting: LOW
Country: Australia
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: LOW CREDIBILITY
History
Cairns News is an Australian digital news outlet founded in 2014. It presents itself as an independent voice from Far North Queensland, focusing on national and local news, international news, vaccines, and criticism of mainstream politics. The site positions itself as an alternative to corporate media and claims to offer unfiltered information suppressed elsewhere. Its editorial team is not clearly identified.
Read our profile on Australia’s media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
Cairns News is operated by a small editorial team based in Far North Queensland. According to its About page, the site is edited by Robert J. Lee and assisted by Harry Palmer. The site claims to publish content that mainstream outlets “refuse” to print and frames itself as an alternative to media controlled by “political and corporate masters.” Ownership information is not disclosed. The outlet appears to be independently operated and solicits donations from readers to support its activities.
Analysis / Bias
Cairns News consistently displays a far-right editorial stance, characterized by conspiratorial framing and aggressive rhetoric. Its reporting is often ideologically driven, lacking transparency, context, or attribution to credible sources. For example, in the article “Zelensky worth billions thanks to Biden crime syndicate, unknown to Australian politicians,” the site accuses Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of stealing billions in U.S. war funds and storing them offshore without citing verifiable sources. The article refers to Biden as “demented’ and Zelensky as a “crackhead” and echoes pro-Trump rhetoric while including unverified claims about Elon Musk and crypto tracking. A video is mentioned, produced by a content creator known as “BORZZIKMAN,” who is associated with disseminating pro-Kremlin narratives.
Another article, “Trump’s latest executive orders are devastating Democrats, Deep State,” praises Trump for abolishing U.S. federal agencies, framing it as a defeat of the “Deep State.” The piece includes claims that mirror conspiracy narratives promoted by Alex Jones, who is directly linked in the article. Additionally, editorial commentary alongside (sidebar) the articles—such as urging Australians to “vote for a Trump-style candidate” and referring to Canberra’s public service as a “gene pool” of Marxist bureaucrats—further reinforces its anti-establishment, conspiratorial worldview.
The site regularly includes opinion-heavy, inflammatory language in its headlines and articles, such as labeling Australian political leaders as “dumb,” and “woke. Its commentary section contains unattributed user content and frequently repeats narratives surrounding election fraud, globalist conspiracies, and anti-vaccine activism. There is little to no distinction between editorial opinion and news reporting, and hyperlinks to source documents or primary data are often absent.
Failed Fact Checks
- UN personnel have complete immunity if they come knocking on your door with a syringe or AK47 – False
- In January 2022, a 7-year-old boy named Lachlan Leary died from a COVID-19 vaccine-induced heart attack in New South Wales, Australia. – False
- Researchers have begun inoculating Australian cattle with dangerous mRNA toxins rendering beef as no longer safe to consume. – False
- Russian forces used a Khinzal hypersonic missile to strike an underground NATO command center, killing up to 300 people including at least 40 high level foreign advisors. – False
Overall, we rate Cairns News as Far-Right Biased due to its promotion of conspiratorial content, inflammatory political rhetoric, and frequent alignment with anti-government, anti-globalist narratives. We rate its reporting as Questionable and Low for factual accuracy due to its publication of false claims, lack of source transparency, and disregard for standard journalistic practices. (M. Huitsing 04/23/2025)
Source: https://cairnsnews.org/
Last Updated on April 23, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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