LEFT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources have a slight to moderate progressive/liberal bias. They often publish factual information that utilizes loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes) to favor progressive/liberal causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information, but may require further investigation. See all Left-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate City Desk ABQ as Left-Center Biased due to its reliance on progressive national sources, subtle framing favoring Democratic figures, and lack of counterpoints in politically charged topics. We rate its factual reporting as High for good sourcing practices and clean fact-check reports.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER (-3.5)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (0.8)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
City Desk ABQ is an independent nonprofit newsroom based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It primarily focuses on local reporting related to Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, covering city governance, education, housing, and policing. The organization describes its mission as fostering informed engagement among local residents by providing in-depth reporting on underrepresented communities and issues.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
City Desk ABQ operates as a project of the Citizen Media Group, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, in partnership with Ctrl+P Publishing, a New Mexico-based small news publisher. Ctrl+P Publishing Inc. owns several regional publications in New Mexico, including The Paper., Sandoval Signpost, Corrales Comment. Funding is sourced from reader donations and institutional support. For example, the New Mexico Local News Fund has previously matched reader donations to City Desk ABQ during fundraising campaigns, highlighting its role as an institutional supporter. City Desk ABQ also discloses the names of donors who contribute over $5,000 annually. Pat Davis, the Founder and Owner of City Desk ABQ, oversees operations and focuses on sustaining local journalism in New Mexico.
Analysis/Bias
City Desk ABQ covers a range of topics, including ABQ City Hall, Crime & Courts, Housing & Homelessness, Education, and Business & Economy. The outlet repurposes articles from national sources, such as the Washington Post, while producing original reporting on state and local issues.
For instance, in the article “Congressional Republicans try to hide from Trump’s debate performance,” the outlet republishes content from the Washington Post, maintaining the source’s progressive framing. This reliance on left-leaning external sources often subtly influences the tone of its national coverage.
In its article “Governor seeking plans for fairgrounds upgrade,” City Desk ABQ maintains a neutral tone while reporting on New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposal for state fairgrounds upgrades. It presents her initiative as a public-interest effort without overt criticism or praise, reflecting a balanced approach to civic issues.
Conversely, in the article “Gov. MLG: New Mexico won’t cooperate,” the outlet covers Governor Lujan Grisham’s refusal to cooperate with Republican-led federal efforts on certain policies. The framing focuses heavily on the governor’s stance without incorporating counterpoints or perspectives from opposing parties, which reinforces a left-leaning narrative.
Additionally, in “Election Briefs: Elon Musk’s PAC jumps into New Mexico congressional race, Herrell campaign denounces 9/11 truther in her own ad,” the outlet sources information from Punchbowl News, a least biased source. The article avoids strong left-leaning or right-leaning bias, instead providing clear and factual reporting.
City Desk ABQ also sources directly from official documents, such as the FY25 Proposed Budget for Albuquerque. Using primary sources like government documents enhances credibility and factual accuracy, though the framing of such content can still reflect the outlet’s progressive priorities.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate City Desk ABQ as Left-Center Biased due to its reliance on progressive national sources, subtle framing favoring Democratic figures, and lack of counterpoints in politically charged topics. We rate its factual reporting as High for good sourcing practices and clean fact-check reports. (M. Huitsing 12/04/2024)
Source: https://citydesk.org/
Last Updated on December 4, 2024 by Media Bias Fact Check
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