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 Newshub center Left-Center biased based on story selection and editorial positions that moderately favor the left. We also rate them as Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to poor sourcing techniques and a failed fact check.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: New Zealand
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: EXCELLENT
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Launched in 2016, Newshub is a multi-platform TV, radio, and news service based in Auckland, New Zealand. Newshub covers national and international news, weather, sports, entertainment, technology, and lifestyle.
Read our profile on New Zealand’s government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
In 2020, MediaWorks sold Newshub and related entities to US multimedia entertainment company Discovery, Inc. (now Warner Bros. Discovery). Newshub is funded through advertising.
Analysis / Bias
Newshub publishes news with strong, emotionally loaded words, such as: “Who Mayor Wayne Brown was calling, texting as Auckland flooded.” Mayor Brown is the center-right Mayor of Auckland. He has been criticized for the delay in declaring a state of emergency as Auckland flooded. A quote from the article reads, “Newshub has obtained a log of calls and text messages Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown made on the day New Zealand’s largest city experienced widespread flooding.”
Other examples of loaded language include: “Ministry for Environment slammed by ACT Party for spending $913,000 on flights in 11 months,” and “New Zealanders rank inflation, cost of living as most important issue country faces.”
Regarding sourcing, Newshub utilizes credible sources such as IPSOS and environment.govt.nz through quotes and images; however, they often don’t provide hyperlinks; therefore, it is difficult to verify the claims. Further, their poll reporting has been criticized, such as in this opinion piece where it is accused of bias, “Opinion: Newshub’s biased poll reporting.”
In general, Newshub is mostly factual based on not always sourcing properly and a failed fact check. They also hold left-leaning editorial positions such as this Nearly two thirds of Kiwi LGBTQ+ travellers suffer negative holiday experiences – report.
Failed Fact Checks
Overall, we rate Newshub center Left-Center biased based on story selection and editorial positions that moderately favor the left. We also rate them as Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to poor sourcing techniques and a failed fact check. (M. Huitsing 03/02/2023)
Source: https://www.newshub.co.nz/
Last Updated on June 28, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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