Church News is rated Right-Center with Mostly Factual factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
RIGHT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources are slight to moderately conservative in bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes) to favor conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate Church News Right-Center Biased based on socially conservative positions regarding abortion, marriage, gender, and religious liberty, tempered by institutional political neutrality and limited partisan advocacy. We rate it Mostly Factual because reporting is generally accurate and transparent, but its role as an official religious advocacy publication results in significant one-sidedness and limited independence.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (3.8)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.9)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Church News is the official news publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Founded in 1931 as a section of the Deseret News, it reports on Church leaders, temples, missionary work, humanitarian programs, religious freedom, Church history, conferences, and Latter-day Saints’ activities worldwide.
The Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints jointly publish Church News and state that its content supports the Church’s doctrines, principles, and practices. Jon Ryan Jensen serves as editor, with support from managing editors and a staff of named reporters. The publication is available online and in a weekly print edition and publishes content in multiple languages.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Funded by / Ownership
Church News is jointly published by Deseret News Publishing Company and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Deseret News Publishing Company is part of Deseret Management Corporation, a for-profit holding company affiliated with and owned by the Church. Deseret Management also operates media and communications businesses including Deseret News, Bonneville International, and Deseret Book.
Ownership and editorial leadership are highly transparent. The publication lists its editor, managing editors, reporters, contact information, and Salt Lake City location. Its purpose is also explicit: Church News is not organizationally independent of the institution it covers but serves as an official record and communications outlet for the Church.
Analysis / Bias
Church News reflects the socially conservative religious teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but demonstrates considerably less partisan political advocacy than many conservative Christian publications. The Church formally states that it does not endorse political parties or candidates and encourages members to participate in politics while maintaining civility. For example, following the 2024 presidential election, Church leaders congratulated Donald Trump on his victory while also commending Kamala Harris for her candidacy and thanking President Joe Biden for his public service.
On social issues, Church News consistently promotes traditional LDS doctrine. In What Elder Andersen said at April 2025 general conference about life, the publication reports the Church’s opposition to elective abortion while acknowledging limited exceptions in official Church policy. Likewise, coverage of LGBTQ issues maintains the Church’s position that marriage is between a man and a woman. However, Church News reported support for the Respect for Marriage Act after religious-freedom protections were added and repeatedly reports Church leaders calling for civility and respectful treatment of LGBTQ individuals.
We found little evidence of Christian nationalism in the partisan sense. Church News frequently emphasizes the U.S. Constitution and religious liberty, but it also reports institutional political neutrality, humanitarian assistance to immigrants regardless of legal status, interfaith cooperation, and calls for peacemaking.
We also found no evidence that Church News promotes scientific pseudoscience such as flat-earth beliefs, young-earth creationism, vaccine misinformation, or unsupported alternative medicine. Religious claims concerning revelation, scripture, miracles, and Church doctrine are presented as matters of faith rather than scientific assertions. However, because Church News exists specifically to support and promote LDS doctrine and institutional perspectives, its coverage is inherently one-sided on religious and social issues and does not function as independent journalism about the Church. This advocacy role lowers its factual rating despite generally accurate reporting and strong transparency.
Failed Fact Checks
- None found from major fact-checking organizations.
Overall, we rate Church News Right-Center Biased based on socially conservative positions regarding abortion, marriage, gender, and religious liberty, tempered by institutional political neutrality and limited partisan advocacy. We rate it Mostly Factual because reporting is generally accurate and transparent, but its role as an official religious advocacy publication results in significant one-sidedness and limited independence. (D. Van Zandt 10/29/2026)
Source: https://www.thechurchnews.com/
Last Updated on October 29, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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