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 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 ESPN 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: TV Station
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Founded in 1979, ESPN, short for (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is a 24-hour sports cable channel broadcast in more than 200 countries. The associated website is espn.com which provides sports news, scores, standings for leagues, and coverage of sports teams worldwide. ESPN broadcasts primarily from studio facilities located in Bristol, Connecticut.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
ESPN is majority-owned (80%) by the ABC Owned Television Stations subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company and (20%) through Hearst Communications. Revenue is derived through advertising and subscriptions.
Analysis / Bias
This review will only focus on the espn.com website. ESPN reports sports news with moderately loaded language, such as this Mike Brosseau plays hero for Tampa Bay Rays against rival New York Yankees. In this case, emotive language is used to describe the outcome of a sporting event and is not related to politics. Most stories on the website are straightforward and focus primarily on sports. Further, the website does not have an opinion section though writers often form opinions on players, teams, or sporting organizations’ ownership and coaching. Again, all within the context of sports and not politics.
Although ESPN’s focus sticks to sports, they do cover politics related to sports. A general search of opinions shows that more opinions favor the left with frequent indirect criticism of the former Trump administration, such as this Domonique Foxworth outlines why he believes that LeBron James should continue to comment on President Trump whether or not he is asked. Story selection related to politics is also negative towards the former administration, such as this Rutgers president casts President Trump comments as ‘cheap politics.’ In general, ESPN minimally reports on politics; however, it typically moderately favors the left when they do.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate ESPN 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. (D. Van Zandt 10/10/2020) Updated (06/04/2022)
Source: https://www.espn.com/
Last Updated on May 24, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources
