Die Zeit – 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 using appeal 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 Die Zeit Left-Center biased based on story selection and 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
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Newspaper
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Founded in 1946 by British Forces, Die Zeit (“The Time” in English) is a German weekly newspaper published in Hamburg, Germany. Die Zeit focuses on politics, business, culture, economy, and more.  Die Zeit is owned by the Holtzbrinck Group. Holtzbrinck’s owns Macmillan Publishers, S. Fischer Verlag, and Holtzbrinck Digital. Prof. Klaus-Dieter Lehmann is the Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Stefan von Holtzbrinck and his sister Monika Schoeller’s family are the partners. Dr. Ernst Samhaber was the co-founder and the first editor-in-chief of Die Zeit (1946). Giovanni di Lorenzo is the current editor-in-chief.

Read our profile on Germany’s media and government

Funded by / Ownership

Die Zeit is owned and published by Holtzbrinck Publishing Group. Revenue is derived through subscriptions and advertisements.

Analysis / Bias

On the issues, Die Zeit reports with balance and a positive tone regarding Immigration/Muslims “Federal President calls for better protection for Muslims” and racism “This is our Home.” Their national politics coverage, particularly in regards to Angela Merkel, who is the former Chancellor, is positive. For example, in this article, they are praising Angela Merkel and her achievements with strong, emotionally loaded language.

Their coverage of the opposition SPD leadership is slightly negative in tone, such as this “Klara Geywitz accuses the media of unfair treatment of Saskia Esken.” A quote from the article reads, “Within a short space of time, the new SPD leadership had made some controversial demands: such as a reduction in German armaments exports, a tax for owners whose property increased sharply in value, and higher pension contributions for the better off.” Lastly, Die Zeit covers world news pertaining to the USA and the Trump Administration with a negative tone “Donald Trump: A president loses control.”

When it comes to sourcing, Die Zeit typically sources to themselves; however, they also utilize credible sources such as morningconsult.com, Spiegel Online, healthdata.org, and The Economist. In general, Die Zeit reports news factually and with a left-leaning bias.

Failed Fact Checks

• None in the Last 5 years

Overall, we rate Die Zeit Left-Center biased based on story selection and 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. (7/13/2017) Updated (M. Huitsing 08/28/2022)

Source: https://www.zeit.de/