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 appealing 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 Premium Times as left-center biased due to its focus on governance, accountability, and human rights issues and consistent scrutiny of center-right political figures, particularly Bola Tinubu, the current president of Nigeria. We also rate them mixed for factual reporting due to poor sourcing and a failed fact check.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: MIXED
Country: Nigeria
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: LIMITED FREEDOM
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
Premium Times is a Nigerian online newspaper launched in 2011. It is known for its investigative journalism in-depth reporting on political, social, and economic issues. Premium Times is headquartered in Abuja.
Read our profile on the Nigerian government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
Premium Times is owned and operated by Premium Times Services Limited, with Dapo Olorunyomi as the publisher and co-founder. The publication is funded through advertisements, subscriptions, and grants from organizations supporting journalistic endeavors. Its non-profit arm, the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), receives funding from various international organizations and foundations to promote transparency, accountability, and investigative journalism. Key funding sources include:
- MacArthur Foundation: In 2022, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), formerly known as Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, received $1.6 million to strengthen investigative reporting on corruption, data journalism, and fact-checking in Nigeria (MacArthur Foundation).
- Luminate: In 2021, PTCIJ, the non-profit arm of the news publication Premium Times, was awarded $200,000 for investigative journalism initiatives, and in 2023, a $500,000 grant over two years to support the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (Luminate) (Premium Times Nigeria).
Analysis / Bias
Premium Times focuses on uncovering stories of political and corporate misconduct.
For example, the article “Nigeria’s management of COVID-19 fund lacks ‘framework for accountability’ – Budgit” reports on the lack of an accountability framework in managing Nigeria’s COVID-19 fund, highlighted by BudgIT, a civic tech organization. The article references specific findings from BudgIT’s report but does not provide a direct link to the report, which limits the reader’s ability to verify the information independently.
Another article, “Most Nigerians support #EndBadGovernance protest — Poll,” uses a headline that suggests a broad consensus among Nigerians. However, it is based on a Twitter poll, and Twitter polls are not scientifically representative of the entire population and can lead to sensational or misleading conclusions. The headline suggests a broad, nationwide support that the data from a non-representative poll cannot substantiate. Additionally, the article mentions that the data was collated from posts and flyers shared on various social media platforms.
Premium Times typically exhibits a critical bias against Bola Tinubu, the current center-right President of Nigeria, reflecting a more left-leaning editorial stance. This bias is evident in consistently scrutinizing Tinubu’s actions and policies.
Failed Fact Checks
Overall, we rate Premium Times as left-center biased due to its focus on governance, accountability, and human rights issues and consistent scrutiny of center-right political figures, particularly Bola Tinubu, the current president of Nigeria. We also rate them mixed for factual reporting due to poor sourcing and a failed fact check. (M. Huitsing 08/01/2024)
Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/
Last Updated on August 17, 2024 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources