EU Observer – 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 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 EUobserver Left-Center biased based on story selection and 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
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: Belgium
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Launched in 2000, the EUobserver is an EU-focused not-for-profit online newspaper based in Brussels, Belgium. The EUobserver’s main focus is EU Affairs, European Union institutions, EU policy, and politics. Lisbeth Kirk is the founder, and Koert Debeuf is the editor.

Read our profile on Belgium Media and Government.

Funded by / Ownership

The EUobserver is published by EUobserver.com ASBL, in cooperation with the Group for a Europe of Democracies and Diversities (Eurosceptic political group that in 2004 was renamed Independence/Democracy – IND/DEM). The EUobserver’s revenue is derived from memberships, group subscriptions, and advertising. Further, they report receiving institutional grant support from the Adessium Foundation, which is a humanitarian group that “aspires to a society that encourages people to live in harmony with each other and with their environments.”

Analysis / Bias

Lisbeth Kirk, founder of EUobserver is the wife of Jens-Peter Bonde, a former Danish MEP who was Co-Chair and Chair of the Group for a Europe of Democracies and Diversities as well as for the Independence/Democracy Group. These are Eurosceptic political groups in the European Parliament that lean right. Between 2004 and 2009, Independence/Democracy (IND/DEM) was chaired by Nigel Farage (right-wing populist British politician), and until 2014 it was called Europe of Freedom and Democracy. In 2019, it became Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy and again was chaired by Nigel Farage.  

In review, EUobserver publishes articles using headlines with emotionally loaded language and a Eurosceptic tone, such as “Euroscepticism: The EU’s new normal” and “EU: China, Russia responsible for Covid-19 disinformation”.  When it comes to sourcing, the EUobserver utilizes their own correspondents, and they source through quotations from credible news outlets such as Deutsche Welle (Center-Left Germany), Die Welt (Center-Right Germany), Le Figaro (Center-Right France), and Süddeutsche Zeitung (Center-Left Germany). In covering the USA, they are critical of the former Trump administration “Trump’s ‘plan’ for Israel will go against EU values.”

Editorially, the EUobserver holds left-leaning views regarding immigration, such as this Europe’s migration system is broken: Renew has a plan. This article supports the plans of a group called Renew Europe, which holds left-centrist views regarding immigration. They state, “By building sustainable partnerships with third countries, we can ensure dignified shelter and reception facilities for refugees close to the home they had to flee.”

Further, they frequently report on climate change as being a significant issue for Europe, Use 25% of budget on climate change, urge EU states, and they support the Paris Climate Change Agreement, as well as having an entire section dedicated to the environment and climate. In general, they report news factually and use various left-leaning and right-leaning sources; however, editorially, they promote liberal positions on most issues.

Failed Fact Checks

• None in the Last 5 years.

Overall, we rate EUobserver Left-Center biased based on story selection and 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. (8/16/2016) Updated (M. Huitsing 10/03/2022)

Source: https://euobserver.com/