Indicator - Bias and Credibility - Media Bias/Fact Check

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 appealing 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 Indicator as left-center biased due to its issue framing and emphasis on exposing right-leaning misinformation. It earns a High Factual rating for its strong sourcing, transparency, and adherence to journalistic standards.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER (-2.2)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (0.5)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Indicator is a U.S.-based digital journalism project that focuses on misinformation, fact-checking, and social media accountability. Launched in 2024 by Casey Newton (of Platformer) and Zoe Schiffer (of Command Line), it aims to address the growing issue of online disinformation, particularly in relation to content moderation, tech platforms, and user-driven fact-checking, such as Twitter’s Community Notes. In 2025, Nieman Lab featured the project in an article, describing it as a rigorously reported, newsletter-first venture designed to serve journalists, researchers, and public institutions. Rather than operating as a traditional newsroom, Indicator integrates newsletter reporting, analysis, and media criticism.

Read our profile on the United States media and government.

Funded by / Ownership

Indicator is an independent publication supported by subscribers. It is operated through Substack and offers paid subscriptions via its “Upgrade” page. The publication does not receive any corporate or institutional funding, emphasizing its commitment to independence. The About page identifies Newton and Schiffer as the co-founders and writers, with no external editorial board involved.

Analysis / Bias

Indicator exhibits a Left-leaning bias primarily through its issue framing, topic selection, and critiques of right-wing media ecosystems. It is deeply critical of unregulated disinformation and the way that social media platforms both enable and obscure accountability. For example, in “Turns Out Community Notes Are Also Biased”, the site explores how X/Twitter’s user-driven fact-checking is vulnerable to ideological manipulation, noting the disproportionate influence of certain high-activity contributors and the lack of platform transparency.

Similarly, “The Top Community Notes Contributor Is an Antivirus Startup” investigates how commercial and political interests intersect in what’s billed as a democratic content-moderation tool. In “Faked Up 24”, the site dissects how AI-generated and manipulated media infiltrated the 2024 election cycle, showing how these tools are disproportionately used to mislead or exaggerate right-wing narratives.

Indicator does not explicitly endorse partisan positions, but its reporting often examines figures, structures, and misinformation that primarily originate from right-leaning digital spaces. The tone is analytical, with a clear editorial stance that emphasizes institutional transparency, platform accountability, and evidence-based discourse. These values, along with its focus on platform power and asymmetrical misinformation, categorize it within the Left-Center spectrum. The articles are well-researched and typically link to primary or supporting documentation.

Failed Fact Check

None in the Last 5 years

Overall, we rate Indicator as left-center biased due to its issue framing and emphasis on exposing right-leaning misinformation. It earns a High Factual rating for its strong sourcing, transparency, and adherence to journalistic standards. (D. Van Zandt 05/29/2025)

Source: https://indicator.media/

Last Updated on May 29, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check