LEAST BIASED
These sources have minimal bias and use very few loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes). The reporting is factual and usually sourced. These are the most credible media sources.
- Overall, we rate Punchbowl News Least Biased based on balanced story selection covering both sides. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. This review only covers the free content from the free AM Newsletter; therefore, this is a medium confidence review as we did not see the entirety of their content.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEAST BIASED
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Founded in 2021 by former Politico journalists John Bresnahan, Anna Palmer, and Jake Sherman, Punchbowl News is a daily email newsletter and podcast covering Capitol Hill politics. According to their about page, “Punchbowl is the Secret Service nickname for the Capitol. Our credo is Power, People, Politics. We’ll focus relentlessly on the people in Washington who make decisions and on the news and events that will move political markets.” Anna Palmer serves as the CEO.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
Although not prominently displayed, Punchbowl News is owned and published by AJ Press, LLC. Initial funding for the website/newsletter was raised by Aryeh Bourkoff (Kindred Media) in the sum of one million dollars. According to the New York Times, “Mr. Bourkoff is a Democrat and longtime fund-raiser for Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. But he is also close to Mr. Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.” Punchbowl generates revenue through advertising in emails and subscriptions that cost $30 per month or $300 per year for full access to all newsletters and content.
Analysis
Punchbowl News covers Washington DC politics through 3 political journalists with extensive experience in the field. They offer breaking news and analysis on politicians and legislation through three daily newsletters, The AM (free), Midday, and PM Newsletters. They also provide a podcast called The Daily Punch. For this review, we subscribed to the free AM Newsletter and reviewed content over the course of one week.
Punchbowl News publishes news via their newsletter covering the day’s political news. The news is broken down into sections. The first section is called The Top, which lists the most important political news stories such as this “A new dynamic for Joe Biden: A trio of problems have sprouted up at home and abroad.” This story covers issues related to Israel-Palestine, the slowing US economy, and rising gas prices.
The following section is called “Trend Alert,” covering trends on Capitol Hill with low bias, such as “Congressional leaders give their rank and file a chance.” They also offer other headings depending on the news of the day. Another section is called “Moments,” which features a daily schedule of what is happening in DC. Finally, they have a section called the “Clip File,” which links to news stories from various sources such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, and LA Times. These sources vary daily but usually consist of left-leaning mainstream sources with High factual ratings.
Bias
Editorially, they do not lean in any particular direction. They provide analysis and opinion on motives that may appear biased through wording such as this “Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: Schumer is dancing on the head of a pin. He has the incentive to go quickly because he has a caucus with progressives, but he also has the imperative to slow down because of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the shadow Democratic leader of the Senate.” This type of opinion is common and covers both sides. In general, Punchbowl News is factual and direct with minimal bias through coverage of both sides.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate Punchbowl News Least Biased based on balanced story selection covering both sides. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. This review only covers the free content from the free AM Newsletter; therefore, this is a medium confidence review as we did not see the entirety of their content. (D. Van Zandt 5/14/2021) Updated (06/28/2022)
Source: https://punchbowl.news/
Last Updated on June 30, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources