Common Dreams – Bias and Credibility

These media sources are moderate to strongly biased toward liberal/progressive causes through story selection and/or political affiliation.  They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage liberal/progressive causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.

• Overall, we rate Common Dreams Left Biased based on consistently progressive story selection, advocacy-oriented framing, and support for left-wing economic, environmental, and social policies. We rate it High for factual reporting due to strong sourcing, transparent editorial standards, named professional staff, and a clean recent fact-check record.

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Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT (-6.8)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (1.9)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Common Dreams is a U.S.-based progressive news and opinion website founded in 1997 by Craig Brown and Lina Newhouser. It publishes original reporting, commentary, videos, and a progressive newswire focused on U.S. politics, economic inequality, climate change, labor, war and peace, civil rights, and social justice.

According to its About page, Common Dreams openly identifies with progressive values including social justice, equality, human rights, and peace.

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Location: Portland, Maine

Funded by / Ownership

Common Dreams is operated by Common Dreams, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It describes itself as reader-supported and states that it does not accept paid advertising, corporate sponsorships, or government funding. ([commondreams.org](https://www.commondreams.org/support-common-dreams?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

According to ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer, Common Dreams reported approximately $1.67 million in revenue in 2024, with about 99% coming from contributions. The organization identifies its staff, leadership, editorial policies, and contact information. (projects.propublica.org)

Analysis / Bias

Common Dreams demonstrates a strong progressive and left-wing perspective through both story selection and editorial framing. Coverage consistently favors labor rights, stronger social programs, climate action, Palestinian rights, campaign-finance reform, progressive taxation, and reduced military spending while strongly criticizing President Donald Trump, Republicans, corporate power, and conservative policy organizations.

For example, current political coverage includes headlines such as “A Complete DEFEAT for Trump DOJ” and stories framing Trump administration election policies as voter intimidation or attacks on democratic institutions. The publication also frequently amplifies progressive organizations and lawmakers while giving relatively little ideological space to conservative arguments. 

Economically, Common Dreams strongly favors progressive policies involving unions, higher taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations, universal healthcare, campaign-finance restrictions, and expanded public programs. For example, Led by Elon Musk, 515 Superrich People Have Donated $4.2 Billion to Super PACs for 2026 Elections emphasizes the influence of wealthy political donors and supports campaign-finance reform.

Despite its strong ideological perspective, factual standards are generally high. Common Dreams maintains a published editorial policy requiring verification, original sourcing where possible, context, correction of errors, and editorial independence from donors. Staff articles typically link to government documents, established news organizations, academic research, public-interest groups, and direct statements.

Failed Fact Checks

• None found from major fact-checking organizations within the current review period.

Overall, we rate Common Dreams Left Biased based on consistently progressive story selection, advocacy-oriented framing, and support for left-wing economic, environmental, and social policies. We rate it High for factual reporting due to strong sourcing, transparent editorial standards, named professional staff, and a clean recent fact-check record. (D. Van Zandt 5/13/2016) Updated (11/3/2026)

Source: https://www.commondreams.org/