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 IFL Science as pro-science and Left-Center biased based on editorial positions that routinely 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: United Kingdom
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
IFLScience, short for I F#cking Love Science, began as a Facebook page in 2012. It then became a popular website that publishes light popular science stories. According to their about page, “IFLScience is a UK-based science website that is a part of LabX Media Group, a Canadian-based corporation.” The founder of IFLS, who is no longer affiliated with the website, was Elise Andrew. The current managing editor is Katy Evans, and Johannes Van Zijl serves as the editorial director.
Read our profile on Media and Government in the United Kingdom.
Funded by / Ownership
LabX Media Group, based in Ontario, Canada, owns IFLScience. Advertising, sponsored content, and a store that sells science-related merchandise generate revenue.
Analysis / Bias
In review, IFLScience is challenging to place into a category. Mostly, the website’s information is pro-science and properly sourced from credible science or other popular science sources. However, IFLS has strong political opinions that align with a liberal perspective, such as this: Here’s A List Of All The Science That Donald Trump Denies: Second Edition or Science Knowledge Has Almost No Effect On Republican Beliefs, According To Survey. In general, a survey of stories that relate to politics shows a left-leaning bias in story selection and political association.
While IFLS does not state they hold a left-leaning perspective, they disclose some of the political issues they cover in their mission statement: “There’s no escaping; some science is political. From government decisions on policies affecting health to global decisions on how to tackle the human-induced effects of climate change or evidence-based analysis of institutional racism, science and politics are inextricably intertwined.” Opinion content is properly labeled.
The primary focus of the website is presenting easy-to-understand science stories that are on the lighter side. IFLS supports the consensus with Vaccinations, Climate Change, and GMOs. Further, throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, they have consistently promoted fact-based scientific information such as this Prior Exposure To Seasonal Coronaviruses Might Increase COVID-19 Vulnerability. However, some stories are speculative: Pieces Of A “UFO” Fell From The Sky And Landed In Remote Cambodian Village. These types of stories are derived from other sources, and IFL is just reporting it as is. The information presented is fact-based, pro-science, and holds a left-leaning bias when discussing political issues.
Failed Fact Checks
- “New Report Warns “High Likelihood Of Human Civilization Coming To An End” Within 30 Years” – Low Scientific Credibility (removed from website)
Overall, we rate IFL Science as pro-science and Left-Center biased based on editorial positions that routinely favor the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (12/12/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 11/20/2023)
Source: https://www.iflscience.com/
Last Updated on November 20, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources