NewsNation - Bias and Credibility - Media Bias/Fact Check

RIGHT-CENTER BIAS

These media sources are slight to moderately conservative in 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 conservative causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Right-Center sources.

Overall, we rate NewsNation as Right-Center Biased based on minimal editorializing and a reasonable balance in news story selection, though more hosts offer a conservative perspective. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a reasonable fact-checking record.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (2.4)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (1.5)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: TV Station
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Launched on 9/1/2020, NewsNation Now was a nightly 3-hour-long news program broadcast on WGN America. Based in Chicago, the program utilized the journalistic resources of the 110 television news operations throughout the United States under WGN America’s corporate parent, Nexstar Media Group. The broadcast was intended to be a straightforward news reporting alternative to the opinion-based programming of CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. The associated website is NewsNationNow.com, which features news from the TV station and supplemental content.

On March 1, 2021, the channel was relaunched from WGN America into NewsNation, a cable news network named after its flagship news program.

On July 26th, 2022, NewsNation announced that former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo would join the network with a new prime-time show.

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which owns nearly 200 TV stations nationwide. The founder, chairman, president, and CEO of Nexstar is Perry A. Sook. According to Open Secrets, Nexstar Media Group gave more money to Republicans in the 2018 election cycle (45% to Democrats, 55% to Republicans); however, in 2020, they gave more to Democrats. Advertising generates revenue.

Analysis / Bias

NewsNation presents itself as a fact-focused national news outlet aiming to provide a less polarized alternative to traditional cable networks. Straight news reporting on the website, such as this political court story and this missing persons report, tends to be low-biased, straightforward, and sourced from credible agencies like the Associated Press or directly from local authorities.

However, NewsNation’s personality-driven shows introduce some ideological leanings depending on the host. Here’s a review of the main shows and their political tilt:

Morning in America (Adrienne Bankert): Center-right. Bankert often highlights traditional values and faith-centered perspectives, though in a generally neutral tone.
NewsNation Live (Marni Hughes): Center/Neutral. Hughes delivers largely fact-driven news coverage without notable editorializing.
NewsNation Now (Nicole Berlie): Center/Neutral. Straight news recap format with minimal analysis or opinion.
Vargas Reports (Elizabeth Vargas): Slight Left-Center. Vargas tends to focus on social justice topics, healthcare, and government accountability, with a tone leaning slightly left.
The Hill: Center to Slight Right. Coverage reflects The Hill’s moderate to right-leaning tilt, particularly on issues like immigration and business regulation.
On Balance with Leland Vittert: Right-Center. Vittert takes a skeptical view of progressive narratives and frequently challenges left-wing talking points.
Cuomo (Chris Cuomo): Left. Cuomo delivers progressive-leaning commentary, particularly on social justice, law enforcement accountability, and criticism of Trump-era politics.
Katie Pavlich: Right. Pavlich, who joined in late 2025 after a long tenure at Fox News, brings a consistently conservative perspective in commentary and panel appearances.
NewsNation Prime: Center/Neutral. This show is a straight national newscast format, similar to a traditional evening broadcast, with minimal visible bias.

In addition, specific reporting, such as the Border Report coverage, often highlights crimes, security threats, and failures in immigration enforcement, which tends to align with right-leaning narratives. For example, articles like “Venezuelan migrant arrested in New York stabbing was released from Texas detention center” and “Texas National Guard seizes massive drug load near border” focus heavily on crime associated with migrants and border security issues, framing immigration challenges predominantly through a public safety lens.

While NewsNation does not produce formal editorial or opinion sections on its website, the story selection occasionally reflects a balance tilted toward traditional concerns (crime, immigration challenges) alongside progressive interests (climate change, racial justice). Reporting tends to be critical of liberal immigration policies when covering border issues but remains factual, and criticisms of both Republican and Democratic figures are present across the programming.

In sum, NewsNation’s straight news reporting remains largely neutral with minimal emotional language, but its host-driven programming introduces a slight rightward or leftward tilt depending on the personality. Overall, NewsNation provides factual, relatively balanced coverage, with a moderate lean to the right with TV hosts.

While NewsNation’s evening programming includes left-leaning voices such as Chris Cuomo, a majority of its daytime and early evening programming leans slightly right or center-right. Shows such as Morning in America, The Hill, and On Balance with Leland Vittert feature coverage and commentary that more often challenge left-leaning narratives and focus on topics prioritized by right-leaning audiences, such as immigration security and crime. The addition of former Fox News host Katie Pavlich adds an addtional conservative voice to the lineup.

The Border Report section also reinforces these themes with heavy emphasis on migrant-related crimes and law enforcement actions. Given the volume of daytime and early evening hours that lean slightly right compared to the fewer prime-time hours that lean slightly left, the overall bias of NewsNation is best categorized as Least Biased with a slight lean to the Right.

Failed Fact Checks

Some mouthwashes could help curb coronavirus – Lacks Context

Overall, we rate NewsNation as Right-Center Biased based on minimal editorializing and a reasonable balance in news story selection, though more hosts offer a conservative perspective. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a reasonable fact-checking record. (D. Van Zandt 11/2/2020) Updated (01/28/2026)

Source: https://www.newsnationnow.com/

Last Updated on January 28, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check