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, the River Cities’ Reader is a locally owned publication with a Right-Center bias in commentary but balanced straight news reporting. Factual reporting is rated Mostly Factual due to mixed sourcing and one-sidedness in editorials, though no failed fact checks were found.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: RIGHT-CENTER (4.5)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (2.6)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Newspaper
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
The River Cities’ Reader was founded in 1993 and is independently and locally owned. It is published monthly in print and refreshed daily online, focusing on culture, local events, commentary, and opinion. They are located in Davenport, Iowa.
Read our profile on the United States media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
The Reader is a locally owned and independent publication. Revenue comes from advertising and reader support. There is no evidence of corporate or political ownership influence.
Analysis / Bias
The River Cities’ Reader provides extensive coverage of local events, such as arts and sports (example: Secret Iowa Offers Lots of Fun Sports to Visit), which are presented in a neutral and fact-based manner.
However, commentary tends to lean right-of-center, with pieces such as Illinois GOP Split and Gubernatorial Tug-of-War reflecting conservative framing. Some articles do provide balance or highlight issues within Republican politics, occasionally pointing out flaws in GOP strategies. At times, the Reader also publishes pieces less favorable to establishment Democrats, such as Karina Villa Jockeyed for a Spot, which criticizes Democratic Party leadership dynamics. Overall, straight reporting is balanced, but commentary is mostly conservative.
Failed Fact Checks
- No failed fact checks from third-party fact-checkers were found.
Overall, the River Cities’ Reader is a locally owned publication with a Right-Center bias in commentary but balanced straight news reporting. Factual reporting is rated Mostly Factual due to mixed sourcing and one-sidedness in editorials, though no failed fact checks were found. (D. Van Zandt 08/26/2025)
Source: https://www.rcreader.com/
Last Updated on August 26, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources