These media sources are slight to moderately conservative in 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 conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.

• Overall, we rate The Herald-Sun Right-Center biased based on story selection and editorial positions that favor the right. We also rate them Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to questionable positions regarding the consensus of science.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: Australia
Press Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Newspaper
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

The Herald-Sun is a daily newspaper based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, published since 1840. According to its about page since 1987, “The Herald Sun has been a division of News Limited, which in turn is part of The News Corporation Limited, whose chairman and CEO is Mr. Rupert Murdoch.” For more info regarding their history, please see here.

On 5/27/2020, News Corp announced that it would stop printing over 100 newspapers in Australia. The Herald-Sun will remain in print but “become more state-focused with boosted regional content.” 

In November 2019, Sam Weir became editor-in-chief. For more on staff, please see here.

Read how government influences media in Australia.

Funded by / Ownership 

The Herald-Sun is owned by News Corp Australia, a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. Advertising and subscriptions generate revenue.

Analysis / Bias

In review, The Herald-Sun publishes news with story selection that moderately favors the right. There is the moderate use of loaded language such as this Disgraced lawyer cops hefty jail term for stealing $1.7m. The national news is republished through Sky News and international news through news.com.au.

Editorially, they do not deny human-influenced climate change; however, they often minimize its impact; computer modeling has ‘gotten out of control’ as seen by COVID-19 and climate change. Further, according to a New York Times article titled “How Rupert Murdoch Is Influencing Australia’s Bushfire Debate,” the Herald-Sun “pushed news of the bushfires to Page 4 on New Year’s Eve, even as they threatened to devastate towns nearby and push thick smoke into the city.” They also frequently report negatively on the left, such as this ‘Lefties’ want government to ‘lead the world on climate change but not criticize China.’

Finally, a Reuters institute survey found that 49% of respondents trust their news coverage and 20% do not, ranking them #14 in trust of the major Australian news providers. In general, the Herald-Sun reports news mostly factually and with a moderate conservative bias.

Failed Fact Checks

• None in the Last 5 years

Overall, we rate The Herald-Sun Right-Center biased based on story selection and editorial positions that favor the right. We also rate them Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to questionable positions regarding the consensus of science. (8/14/2016) Updated (M. Huitsing 03/23/2022)

Source: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/