LEFT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources have a slight to moderate progressive/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 progressive/liberal causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information, but may require further investigation. See all Left-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate TAG24 as Left-Center Biased due to its ownership ties to the SPD and its tendency to present news stories with a sensationalist angle that aligns with left-leaning perspectives. We also rate its reporting as Mostly Factual due to its tabloid-style presentation and emphasis on emotionally charged content over comprehensive analysis.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER (-3.5)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (2.5)
Country: Germany
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
TAG24 is a German digital news outlet launched in 2014 (originally Mopo24) and rebranded in 2016. It covers various topics, including politics, crime, entertainment, lifestyle, and sports, with regional editions across multiple German cities. The platform also operates a U.S. branch, TAG24 News USA Inc., based in New York City.
Read our profile on Germany’s media and government
Funded by / Ownership
TAG24 is published by TAG24 News Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary of the DDV Mediengruppe. The DDV Mediengruppe was previously owned 60% by Bertelsmann Investments and 40% by Deutsche Druck- und Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (DDVG), the media holding company of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD). In 2023, Bertelsmann sold its shares in DDV Mediengruppe to the MADSACK Mediengruppe, which is majority-owned by DDVG. This ownership structure indicates a significant affiliation between TAG24 and the SPD through DDVG’s holdings.
Analysis / Bias
TAG24’s reporting style is characterized by concise, tabloid-style articles that often focus on sensational or emotionally loaded topics. For instance, the article “AfD-Frau wegen Hetze auf queere Menschen verurteilt” discusses Leyla Bilge, a Turkish immigrant and AfD member, who was originally a Sunni Muslim before converting to Christianity in 2017. It reports on her conviction for hate speech against queer individuals, where she used terms like “pädophil” and “Satansbrut” during an AfD congress in Magdeburg. The article presents the facts but uses strong, emotionally loaded language in the headline.
Similarly, the article “Bluttat in Bad Nauheim: Opfer sind Schwiegervater (59) und Schwiegersohn (28)” covers a double homicide with a focus on the familial relationship between the victims, emphasizing the tragic nature of the event. While TAG24 covers a range of topics, its selection and presentation of news often prioritize sensationalism over in-depth analysis, which may reflect a particular editorial slant.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate TAG24 as Left-Center Biased due to its ownership ties to the SPD and its tendency to present news stories with a sensationalist angle that aligns with left-leaning perspectives. We also rate its reporting as Mostly Factual due to its tabloid-style presentation and emphasis on emotionally charged content over comprehensive analysis. (M. Huitsing 04/21/2025)
Source: https://www.tag24.de/
Last Updated on April 21, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources