SET News is rated Left-Center with Mostly Factual factual reporting by Media Bias Fact Check.
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 using appeal 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 SET News Left-Center Biased based on its consistent Pan-Green orientation, pro-Taiwan sovereignty framing, and comparatively stronger scrutiny of the KMT, Taiwan People’s Party, and China. We rate it Mostly Factual due to generally credible sourcing and professional reporting, offset by partisan story selection, sensational framing, and reduced balance in political coverage.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER (-4.3)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.6)
Country: Taiwan
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: TV Station/Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY
History
SET News (三立新聞) is a Taiwanese 24-hour television news channel and digital news website operated by Sanlih E-Television. SET News launched in March 1998 and is headquartered in Taipei. It covers Taiwanese politics, cross-strait relations, international affairs, business, crime, entertainment, health, lifestyle, and breaking news.
According to Sanlih E-Television’s About page, the company traces its history to 1991 and operates several television channels, including SET Taiwan, SET Metro, SET News, SET iNEWS, SET International, and MTV Taiwan. The company describes SET News as its 24-hour general-news service, while SETN.com integrates reporting from its television and digital news operations.
Read our profile on Taiwan’s media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
SET News is owned by Sanlih E-Television Co., Ltd., a privately held Taiwanese media company. Sanlih operates television, digital news, entertainment, content production, advertising, and other media businesses. The company publicly identifies its corporate operations, contact information, television channels, and related business divisions through its corporate website.
Revenue is generated primarily through television and digital advertising, content production and licensing, integrated marketing, and other commercial media activities. Because Sanlih is privately held, detailed financial information and ownership percentages are less publicly available than those of a publicly traded media company.
Analysis / Bias
SET News demonstrates a consistent Pan-Green and pro-Taiwan political perspective. Academic research and media studies have linked the network to Taiwan’s Pan-Green political camp, led by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), while its reporting often takes a more critical stance toward the Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan People’s Party, and positions viewed as accommodating toward China.
For example, Nationality Dispute: Interior Ministry Reiterates Chinese Citizenship Must Be Renounced or Legislator Will Be Removed reports the government’s position that a Chinese-born incoming legislator must renounce Chinese nationality or face removal from the legislature. The article emphasizes national-security and loyalty concerns surrounding Chinese nationality, reflecting SET News’ broader tendency to frame cross-strait political disputes from a Taiwan-centered and sovereignty-focused perspective.
Similarly, Chinese Military Aircraft and Warships Operate Near Taiwan Ahead of National Day reports Chinese military activity around Taiwan using the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense’s characterization that Chinese aircraft and vessels were operating around or pressuring Taiwan’s surrounding airspace and waters. Such coverage is consistent with SET News’ strong emphasis on Chinese military pressure and threats to Taiwanese sovereignty.
Domestic political coverage also frequently gives greater scrutiny to opposition parties. For example, Fu Kun-chi Says He Does Not Fear Recall Effort, Warns Lai Ching-te About Upcoming Defense and Special Budgets focuses on KMT legislative leader Fu Kun-chi’s remarks during Taiwan’s recall disputes and highlights criticism that defense and special-budget legislation could become entangled in partisan conflict. SET News does report DPP controversies and opposition perspectives, but its overall political framing and story selection more consistently align with Pan-Green positions.
Factual reporting generally relies on named government officials, political statements, press conferences, government agencies, public records, international news agencies, and original reporting. However, political coverage can employ sensational headlines, partisan framing, and selectively emphasized commentary, particularly regarding the KMT, Taiwan People’s Party, China, and cross-strait relations. These tendencies reduce balance despite a generally professional newsroom.
Failed Fact Checks
- None found from major international fact-checking organizations.
Overall, we rate SET News Left-Center Biased based on its consistent Pan-Green orientation, pro-Taiwan sovereignty framing, and comparatively stronger scrutiny of the KMT, Taiwan People’s Party, and China. We rate it Mostly Factual due to generally credible sourcing and professional reporting, offset by partisan story selection, sensational framing, and reduced balance in political coverage. (D. Van Zandt 10/24/2026)
Source: https://www.setn.com/
Last Updated on October 24, 2026 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources