Columbia Journalism Review – 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.

• Overall, we rate Columbia Journalism Review Left-Center Biased based on editorial positions that moderately favor the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record.

Detailed Report

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

History

Founded in 1961, The Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) is an American magazine for professional journalists published by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Its contents include news and media industry trends, analysis, professional ethics, and stories behind the news.

CJR describes its mission as “CJR’s mission is to be the intellectual leader in the rapidly changing world of journalism. It is the most respected voice on press criticism, and it shapes the ideas that make media leaders and journalists smarter about their work. Through its fast-turn analysis and deep reporting, CJR is an essential venue not just for journalists, but also for the thousands of professionals in communications, technology, academia, and other fields reliant on solid media industry knowledge.”

CJR discloses its masthead and names its authors.

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

CJR is a nonprofit owned by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism through Columbia University. They disclose their major funders on the website as “Maria Moors Cabot Fund, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, the George Delacorte Center for Magazine Journalism Fund at The New York Community Trust, the Saul and Janice Poliak Center for the Study of First Amendment Issues, Puffin Foundation, Rockefeller Family & Associates, Schumann Media Center Inc., and R. Ted Weschler.” Advertising, donations, memberships, and subscriptions generate revenue.

Analysis / Bias

In review, CJR is a magazine and website that covers the news profession and journalism/media. The website typically provides criticism and analysis on the media, including our very own website. CJR typically does not use loaded language in their headlines such as this: Tracking journalist stoppages at the US border. This story is appropriately sourced to the Press Freedom Tracker as well as NBC San Diego.

The website has an entire section dedicated to how the media reports on climate change with articles such as this: As California burns again, news outlets neglect climate change again. CJR takes the pro-science position that climate change is greatly influenced by humans and is being under-reported, which today has become associated with a left-leaning position. When it comes to politics, they often do not report favorably on former President Donald Trump, such as this: Six rare images that capture Trump’s TV addiction. In general, CJR reports factually with a left-leaning editorial bias.

Failed Fact Checks

• None in the Last 5 years

Overall, we rate Columbia Journalism Review Left-Center Biased based on editorial positions that moderately favor the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (D. Van Zandt 8/30/2016) Updated (02/09/2024)

Source: https://www.cjr.org/