LEFT BIAS
These media sources are moderately to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports and omit reporting of information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate Portland Mercury Left Biased based on editorial positions that mostly 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 (-5.9)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (1.5)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Newspaper
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
The Portland Mercury is an alternative weekly newspaper in Portland, Oregon, USA. They cover news, food, entertainment, culture, and politics from a progressive perspective in the Portland area.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
Portland Mercury is owned by Noisy Creek Inc. Noisy Creek’s founder, publisher, and majority shareholder is Brady Walkinshaw, a former CEO of the environmental media outlet Grist and a former Washington State Representative for the 43rd district. Revenue is derived through both digital and print advertising.
Analysis / Bias
The Portland Mercury is a print and online paper that covers news, food, entertainment and culture for the greater Portland area. Articles and headlines sometimes contain moderately loaded language, such as this: Despite DOJ Intervention, Portland Police are Still Killing People in Mental Health Crisis.
Besides covering Portland life, Portland Mercury also covers politics with a left-leaning bias, such as this “Racist, Dehumanizing”: Chat Images Show Portland Power Players Disparaging Councilors of Color.
In general, editorial positions favor the left and are reported factually, with a strong left-leaning bias that advocates for social justice, human rights, and concern for climate change.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate Portland Mercury Left Biased based on editorial positions that mostly favor the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (D. Van Zandt (01/24/2026)
Source: https://www.portlandmercury.com/
Last Updated on January 24, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources