Slate – Bias and Credibility

These media sources are moderate 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 using appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports and omit reporting of information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.

• Overall, we rate Slate, moderately Left Biased based on story selection and editorial positions that favor the left and Mostly Factual for reporting due to proper sourcing but a few failed fact checks.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Slate is an online magazine that covers the topics of News and Politics, Culture, Entertainment, Technology, and Business. In 1996, they were founded by the former editor of The New Republic and co-host of CNN’s“Crossfire, Michael Kinsley, and published by Microsoft Corp. Slate was originally headquartered in Seattle; however, they are now currently based in New York City. The Washington Post Company acquired them in 2004. After Amazon’s Jeff Bezos acquired the Washington Post (Newspaper) from the Washington Post Company, the Washington Post Company retained ownership of its group of seven television stations, higher education company Kaplan, The Slate Group, and in 2013, changed its name to Graham Holdings Company.

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

Graham Holdings Company owns Slate, and according to its About page, they do not charge for access and rely on digital advertising for revenue. Slate offers bonus and ad-free podcasts and other shows through a Slate Plus membership launched in 2014.  Slate is also a member of Amazon Associates; “When readers click on a link from an article to Amazon.com, Slate earns a percentage of the purchase.”

Analysis / Bias

In review, Slate has a politically progressive, liberal stance throughout their political articles. They publish political news with moderately emotionally loaded headlines such as “The Government Shutdown Is Going to Hurt More People Each Day It Continues” and “EPA Proposes Nixing Obama-Era Rule on Mercury From Coal Plants.” They always source credible media outlets such as Associated Press, Bloomberg, Reuters, The Hill,  Washington Post, and New York Times.  Further, they also cover a wide variety of topics, including reviews and articles about films. 

Editorially, Slate favors the left. During the 2016 Presidential Election, the Slate Staff endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton for President. In general, Slate story selection tends to favor the left and is always properly sourced.

A 2014 Pew Research Survey found that 76% of Slate’s audience is consistently or mostly liberal, 14% Mixed, and 10% consistently or mostly conservative. This indicates that a more liberal audience strongly prefers slate.

Failed Fact Checks

• When implemented, Georgia’s House Bill 481 would leave women open to prosecution for criminal abortion, murder, or second-degree murder for having abortions or miscarriages. – Unproven

Overall, we rate Slate, moderately Left Biased based on story selection and editorial positions that favor the left and Mostly Factual for reporting due to proper sourcing but a failed fact check. (5/15/2016) Updated (M. Huitsing 06/30/2022)

Source: https://slate.com