Rolling Stone

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 appealing to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.

• Overall, we rate Rolling Stone Left Biased based on strongly left-leaning editorial positions and High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing of information and a reasonable fact check record.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Magazine
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Rolling Stone is an American biweekly magazine and website focusing on popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner, who is still the magazine’s publisher. Although they are primarily known as a Music Magazine, it has a long history of covering politics.  Its reporting can be very in-depth and well-researched.

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

Rolling Stone is owned by Penske Media Corporation, a digital media publisher that publishes more than 20 brands, including Variety and Deadline Hollywood. Revenue is generated through advertising and subscription sales.

Analysis / Bias

Rolling Stone is a monthly magazine and website that covers music, pop culture, and politics. Over the last 50+ years, Rolling Stone has produced long-form well-researched journalism on a wide variety of topics, especially as it relates to politics. When it comes to political news, Rolling Stone does not shy from using loaded emotional wording that conveys a left-leaning bias such as this: Trump Is Awfully Sensitive About His Confusing Immigration Deal With Mexico. This story is properly sourced to a video of Trump as well as the credible New York Times. Another example of strongly emotional wording is the Trump Administration Is Cooking Stats to Keep the Sick Sick and the Poor Poor.

Editorially, Rolling Stone almost always favors the left. In 2016, they endorsed Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The Guardian has described Rolling Stone as a “Liberal Cheerleader.” In general, Rolling Stone reports news factually and with proper sourcing; however, their opinion pieces are consistently left-biased.

Failed Fact Checks

• “Gunshot Victims Left Waiting as Horse Dewormer Overdoses Overwhelm Oklahoma Hospitals, Doctor Says.” – False (Corrected)

Overall, we rate Rolling Stone Left Biased based on strongly left-leaning editorial positions and High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing of information and a reasonable fact check record. (D. Van Zandt 8/23/2016) Updated (12/09/2022)

Source: https://www.rollingstone.com/