LEFT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources have a slight to moderate progressive/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 progressive/liberal causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information, but may require further investigation. See all Left-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate the Hong Kong Standard as Left-Center biased based on editorial perspectives that moderately favor the left. We also rate them mixed for factual reporting due to censorship by the Chinese government, which does not allow for criticism.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: MIXED
Country: Hong Kong
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: LIMITED FREEDOM
Media Type: Newspaper
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
The Standard, formerly known as the Hongkong Standard and briefly as HKiMail, is an English-language Hong Kong based free newspaper published in a tabloid format.
Read our profile on Hong Kong’s media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
Initially published by Hong Kong iMail Newspapers Limited (previously Hong Kong Standard Newspapers Limited), The Standard is now under The Standard Newspapers Publishing Limited. This entity, along with others like Sing Tao Daily and Headline Daily, is owned by Sing Tao News Corporation Limited. The corporation has a range of businesses, including media publications, human capital management, and broadband service. Advertising generates revenue.
Analysis / Bias
The Standard is considered pro-Beijing in its editorial stance. This aligns with the broader media landscape in Hong Kong, where press freedom has been in retreat due to pressure from Beijing. The Hong Kong Liaison Office, serving as Beijing’s platform to project influence, controls several media outlets in Hong Kong, indicating a general trend towards pro-Beijing reporting in the region.
In general, the media is strictly controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, and with new laws being imposed, critical voices in Hong Kong media are increasingly silenced. This reflects a transition towards media outlets becoming propaganda mouthpieces for the Chinese government. For example, in coverage of the Hong Kong protests such as this Xia says social unrest a permanent scar for Hong Kong; protests aren’t the only way to express demands; the article’s portrayal of the anti-extradition bill movement as a source of chaos and its emphasis on the importance of national security and stability aligns with pro-China perspectives.
In general, the paper is fact-based and holds left-leaning editorial biases; however, the lack of critical coverage of China renders it somewhat propagandistic and mixed for factual reporting.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate the Hong Kong Standard as Left-Center biased based on editorial perspectives that moderately favor the left. We also rate them mixed for factual reporting due to censorship by the Chinese government, which does not allow for criticism. (D. Van Zandt 12/23/2023)
Source: https://www.thestandard.com.hk/
Last Updated on December 23, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources