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 using appeal 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 Independent Catholic News as Left-Center Biased due to its consistent focus on social justice, peace advocacy, and critiques of conservative and pro-Israel policies. We rate its reporting as Mostly Factual, as content is generally accurate and based on verifiable public events and statements, though weakened by limited external sourcing and minimal inclusion of diverse perspectives.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER (-3.5)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.4)
Country: United Kingdom
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Independent Catholic News (ICN) was founded in May 2000 by journalist Jo Siedlecka in London, England, in response to Tertio Millennio Adveniente, a Vatican document calling for greater lay participation in Church life. Originally a volunteer initiative, ICN positions itself as the UK’s first daily online Catholic news service.
Its stated mission is to provide “speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community”. The site includes not only news, but also features such as Saint of the Day, Sunday Reflection, Gospel in Art, a Listings Section, Classified Ads, Prayer Requests, and Links pages. The publication is indexed by the British Library under ISSN 2752-9487.
Read our profile on the UK government’s influence on the media.
Funded by / Ownership
ICN is funded through donations and advertising. Its team includes volunteers and freelancers. While it doesn’t release detailed financial reports, its involvement in events like the Jubilee Year Conference signals a commitment to transparency in the Catholic nonprofit space.
Analysis / Bias
Independent Catholic News (ICN) offers a faith-based editorial perspective rooted in Catholic social teaching, focusing on human rights, peace, and social justice. It features Church leaders, theologians, and Catholic NGOs, and while not politically affiliated, exhibits a Left-Center bias on foreign policy, economic inequality, and marginalized populations.
This editorial perspective is evident in US Catholic bishops, faith leaders protest Trump’s Budget Bill, where ICN amplifies criticisms from Catholic bishops and interfaith leaders regarding legislation perceived as harmful to the poor, immigrants, and the environment. The article presents detailed moral objections from Church officials but does not provide counterarguments or quotes from supporters of the bill.
Similarly, Ian Linden: Naming the horrors in Gaza portrays Israeli military actions in Gaza as potential genocide and critiques Western governments’ responses. The piece quotes Dr. Omer Bartov and discusses international legal proceedings. This aligns with ICN’s focus on justice and moral accountability over political neutrality.
A further example is Tina Beattie reflects on Irish Abortion Referendum, in which the Catholic theologian affirms the “Yes” vote not as a celebration of abortion but as a defense of women’s moral autonomy and conscience. Beattie draws on progressive Catholic thought to argue that upholding human dignity requires trusting individuals to make complex moral choices. The article presents a theologically reasoned position that separates public policy from doctrinal absolutism—an approach characteristic of socially progressive Catholic theology.
In terms of sourcing, ICN primarily sources content from Catholic institutions, Church figures, and affiliated commentators. While generally accurate, ICN’s reporting rarely includes external hyperlinks or third-party citations, often relying on quotations rather than investigative or multi-sourced journalism.
In summary, while ICN’s reporting is generally aligned with public records and reflects longstanding Catholic social justice concerns, its reliance on internal sourcing, direct quotations, and the absence of external hyperlinks or third-party verification places it closer to advocacy journalism than neutral, source-transparent reporting.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate Independent Catholic News as Left-Center Biased due to its consistent focus on social justice, peace advocacy, and critiques of conservative and pro-Israel policies. We rate its reporting as Mostly Factual, as content is generally accurate and based on verifiable public events and statements, though weakened by limited external sourcing and minimal inclusion of diverse perspectives. (M. Huitsing 07/29/2025)
Source: https://www.indcatholicnews.com/
Last Updated on July 29, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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