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 Libération Left-Center biased based on story selection and editorial positions that moderately 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: France
Press Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Newspaper
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Launched in 1973, Libération or Libé is an iconic daily newspaper based in Paris, France. Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and Journalist Serge July are the founders of the paper. The editorial stance was known as extreme left in the paper’s early days and co-owned by all the staff, with all staff members receiving the same salary, including the chief editor Serge July.
In recent years’ shrinking readership has plunged the newspaper into significant financial difficulties. In 2014, its two owners, businessman Edouard de Rothschild and real estate developer Bruno Ledoux made several proposals to solve the financial problems. These included a restructuring plan, such as using the newspaper’s offices in Paris as a cultural center featuring a cafe and TV studio, salary cuts, and a paywall. The Libération’s journalists rejected the proposals by stating, “this is a real coup by the shareholders against Libération, its history, its team, its values.” They went on strike for a day, and the issue was resolved. According to a Le Monde article, “The rescue of “Liberation” in 2014 at the heart of a judicial investigation,” this operation, as of 2022, is still under investigation for tax evasion.
In 2016 telecommunications magnate Patrick Drahi incorporated the paper into his mobile communications company. In 2022, the owner of Elle magazine and part-owner of the daily Le Monde Czech billionaire businessman Daniel Kretinsky agreed to “ lend Libération 14 million euros to help stem losses until its projected breakeven in 2026.”
Read our profile on France’s Media and Government.
Funded by / Ownership
Liberation is co-owned by Patrick Drahi and Bruno Ledoux. Advertising and subscription fees generate revenue.
Analysis / Bias
In review, Libération editorially holds left-centrist views; however, their reports are balanced. Libération publishes fact checks and is a registered fact checker of the IFCN. Fact checks are found under the CheckNews section of Libération. For example, in this article, they fact-checked the statement made by Jordan Bardella, the acting president of the populist far-right party National Rally (RN) “Is it true that French retirees live on 8 euros a day while foreigners receive 950 euros without having contributed?” Liberation reports the comparison is misleading. They also report on the environment, particularly climate change, such as “Glaciers, permafrost, corals… Points of no return threaten to be reached sooner than expected.”
Articles are typically sourced through quotes or hyperlinked from credible sources such as Science.org (Magazine) and Carbon Brief. Here is another article sourcing the AFP (Agence France Presse) “Nobel Peace Prize 2022: “The Ukrainian people are the main peacemakers today.” They also have a positive tone towards President Biden, such as in this article, “Joe Biden takes a small step, unfortunately, unimaginable in France.”
In general, Libération reports news factually and uses various credible sources; however, they promote liberal positions on most issues editorially.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years. They are an IFCN fact-checker.
Overall, we rate Libération Left-Center biased based on story selection and editorial positions that moderately favor the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (M. Huitsing 10/07/2022)
Source: https://www.liberation.fr/
Last Updated on May 31, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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