San Francisco Chronicle – Bias and Credibility

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 appeals 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 the San Francisco Chronicle Left-Center Biased based on editorial positions that moderately 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-CENTER
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Newspaper
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Founded in 1865, The San Francisco Chronicle is a California newspaper serving the San Francisco Bay area and surrounding suburbs. The newspaper has won six Pulitzer Prizes. The current editor is Audrey Cooper.

Funded by / Ownership

The San Francisco Chronicle is owned by Hearst Communications, which owns more than 300 media outlets across the United States, including Esquire, the Houston Chronicle, and Cosmopolitan. Subscriptions and display ads generate revenue.

Analysis / Bias

In review, The San Francisco Chronicle covers local news through staff journalists with minimal bias such as this: Faced with eviction, disabled Vacaville couple get help with move to new housing. National and international news is delivered through wire services such as the Associated Press. Editorially, The San Francisco Chronicle has endorsed Democratic presidential candidates since 1996. Further, editorials and op-eds tend to favor the left with articles such as this: Editorial: Trump’s long, losing battle with federal law enforcement. In general, news reporting contains low bias and is properly sourced; however, editorially, there is a moderate Left-leaning bias.

Failed Fact Checks

Overall, we rate the San Francisco Chronicle Left-Center Biased based on editorial positions that moderately favor the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (5/18/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 09/28/2023)

Source: https://www.sfchronicle.com/