Columbus Dispatch is rated Left-Center with High factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
LEFT-CENTER BIAS
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 appealing 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 the Columbus Dispatch Left-Center Biased based on editorial positions that slightly 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 (-3.0)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (1.0)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Newspaper
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Founded in 1871, the Columbus Dispatch is a daily newspaper from Columbus, Ohio. The paper and website cover news, sports, crime, and business for the greater Columbus area.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
The Columbus Dispatch is owned by USA TODAY Co., Inc., the newly renamed parent company formerly known as the Gannett Company, which controls the USA TODAY Network of national and local news outlets. It generates revenue from advertising and subscription sales.
Analysis / Bias
In review, the Columbus Dispatch reports local news through reporters with minimal bias, such as this Coronavirus: What the move to online classes means for students, faculty, schools. National and international news is mainly derived from the Associated Press and USA Today
Editorially, the Columbus Dispatch has always supported Republican candidates. However, in 2016 they broke this tradition and endorsed Democratic Candidate Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden in 2020 Editorial: Biden can reunite, restart America. Today, the Op-Ed pages tend to slightly favor the left by only a slight margin. Although reasonably balanced, some editorials strongly favor the left, such as this Editorial: On COVID and climate, denialism is deadly. In general, the Columbus Dispatch reports news factually and with reasonable balance.
Failed Fact Checks
- None to date
Overall, we rate the Columbus Dispatch Left-Center Biased based on editorial positions that slightly favor the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (D. Van Zandt 7/29/2016) Updated (11/02/2026)
Source: https://www.dispatch.com/
Last Updated on November 2, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources