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 NRC as Left-Center Biased based on editorial positions that slightly 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: Netherlands
Press Freedom Rating: EXCELLENT
Media Type: Newspaper
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Launched in 1970, NRC, formerly NRC Handelsblad, is a Dutch daily newspaper based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. NRC focuses on news, politics, opinion, sports, culture, business, science, media, technology, and more.
Read our profile on the Netherlands government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
NRC has been owned by the Belgian publishing company Mediahuis since 2015. Advertising and subscription fees generate revenue.
Analysis / Bias
Currently, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands is Mark Rutte, who leans center-right (Conservative Liberalism is the equivalent of Center-Right in the USA), and he is also the leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VDV). NRC is known to be liberal by tradition.
In review, NRC reports news with balance. NRC publishes articles critical of the current prime minister, such as “Man of the week: Mark Rutte.” A quote from the article reads, “The longest-serving prime minister of the Netherlands watches visionless and invisible as the Netherlands declines due to the many crises.” NRC also publishes articles critical of far-right populist parties such as Forum for Democracy (FVD): “The digital thug of Forum for Democracy.” FVD supporters organize with Telegram (messaging app), to spread misinformation, and threaten politicians they oppose.
Editorially, NRC has a favorable tone for the opposition leader of the left-wing labor party Attje Kuiken: ”The fight against poverty is personal for Kuiken.” On political issues such as immigration, they report favorably with emotionally loaded language, such as “I thank God and the UN for my return to Nigeria.”
Regarding sourcing, NRC often hyperlinks to itself and credible sources such as BBC, AFP, Reuters, and government agencies. When covering world news about the USA, they cover the Biden administration with a neutral tone while reporting negatively on former President Trump, such as in this article. ”How Joe Biden lost ground — and still won.” NRC generally reports news factually and with a slight left-leaning editorial bias.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate NRC as Left-Center Biased based on editorial positions that slightly favor the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (M. Huitsing 11/25/2022)
Source: https://www.nrc.nl/
Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources
