LEFT BIAS
These media sources are moderate to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may use strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate the CommonWealth Beacon Left Biased based on editorial positions that routinely favor the left. We also rate them High in factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean check record.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
The CommonWealth Beacon is an online news website from Massachusetts. Their about statement reads, “CommonWealth Beacon’s mission is to contribute to a more inclusive and vibrant civic culture that makes our government more responsive and effective by providing rigorous coverage of important issues affecting life in Massachusetts..”
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
The CommonWealth Beacon is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. States Newsroom publishes numerous other publications. The CommonWealth Beacon is transparent as they link to the States Newsroom donors page. Initially, when they launched, they got fiscal sponsorship from the Hopewell Foundation; however, once the IRS approved their application for 501(c)(3) charity certification, they severed their ties with the Hopewell Foundation. There has been criticism of their involvement with the Hopewell Foundation, and they have responded here.
Analysis / Bias
The CommonWealth Beacon publishes original news reporting on politics and policy from Massachusetts. Coverage focuses on the legislature, the environment, and how national policy affects the people of Massachusetts. Articles and headlines promote liberal perspectives through moderate, loaded language Advocates say guaranteed basic income programs work.
They properly source, linking to credible sources such as whitehouse.gov, Washington Post, Politico, Center for Responsive Politics (Open Secrets), and bls.gov (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Editorially, opinion pieces favor the left, such as this Mass. is facing a literacy crisis — but there is real potential for improvement. On the issues, the CommonWealth Beacon promotes LGBT equality and has concerns about climate change. Finally, they frequently report negatively on Republican politicians, such as this Conservative hypocrisy on police unions. The CommonWealth Beacon generally reports news factually; however, story selection and op-eds strongly favor a liberal perspective.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate the CommonWealth Beacon Left Biased based on editorial positions that routinely favor the left. We also rate them High in factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean check record. (D. Van Zandt 04/15/2024)
Source: https://commonwealthbeacon.org/
Last Updated on April 15, 2024 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources