FreePress.org – 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 reporting that may damage liberal/progressive causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.

• Overall, we rate Free Press as Far-Left biased based on editorial positions that align with the progressive left. We also rate them Mostly Factual in reporting due to one-sided reporting that does not always offer a counter perspective.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: FAR LEFT (-7.7)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.7)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY

History

According to its about page, the origins of the Free Press dates back to the 1970s when it was called The Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. In 1996, they founded the website freepress.org.

Bob Fitrakis is the editor and publisher of The Free Press, and Suzanne Patzer is the Managing Editor. Over the years, Dr. Fitrakis has run for different political positions as an Independent and a Green Party Member.

The Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism (CICJ) is the publisher of the Free Press newspaper, Free Press Express broadsheet, the website freepress.org, books, and other educational materials. Donations and an online store that sells books generate revenue.

Analysis / Bias

Free Press focuses on progressive politics and investigative journalism on environmental and political issues. They also sponsor journalistic activities such as community radio, video production, the local film festival, film screenings, speakers, conferences, educational workshops, election protection, and other special events.

In review, the Free Press uses strong loaded words in their articles such as “Syria – a Case Study in Propaganda” they also use listicles without commentary such as “Top 100 Reasons Not to Bomb Iran.” However, they utilize credible sources such as the LA Times, the BBC, Reuters, and government organizations like www.opcw.org. They also occasionally source to blogs such as davidswanson.org.

Editorially, they advocate for positions held by the left such as anti-war stances, concern for climate change, human rights, and strongly negative opinions of the conservative right Ali Alexander, an extremist with Alabama connections, proves to be a useful barometer as we measure right-wing wind currents heading into a post-Jan. 6 future.

Failed Fact Checks

• None to date

Overall, we rate Free Press as Far-Left biased based on editorial positions that align with the progressive left. We also rate them Mostly Factual in reporting due to one-sided reporting that does not always offer a counter perspective. (M. Huitsing 5/6/2018) Updated (02/13/2025)

Source: https://freepress.org/