QUESTIONABLE SOURCE
A questionable source exhibits one or more of the following: extreme bias, consistent promotion of propaganda/conspiracies, poor or no sourcing to credible information, a complete lack of transparency, and/or is fake news. Fake News is the deliberate attempt to publish hoaxes and/or disinformation for profit or influence (Learn More). Sources listed in the Questionable Category may be very untrustworthy and should be fact-checked on a per article basis. Please note sources on this list are not considered fake news unless specifically written in the reasoning section for that source. See all Questionable sources.
- Overall, we rate The Duran as a Questionable source based on far-right-wing bias, promotion of Russian propaganda, right-wing conspiracies, a lack of transparency, use of poor sources, plagiarism, and failed fact checks.
Detailed Report
Reasoning: Russian Propaganda, Conspiracy, Poor Sourcing, Lack of Transparency, Plagiarism, Failed Fact Checks
Bias Rating: FAR RIGHT
Factual Reporting: LOW
Country: Cyprus
Press Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: LOW CREDIBILITY
History
Founded in 2016, The Duran is a strongly right-leaning news and opinion website with ties to Russian state media. Based in Cyprus, the website’s editor is Alexander Mercouris, who in 2012 was disbarred as an attorney in London. According to the Telegraph, he then went on to become a “pro-Russian commentator on world affairs for Russian TV news outlets and websites.”
The Duran’s director is Peter Lavelle, the host of RT’s (Russian state news outlet) political debate program CrossTalk.
In 2018, the right-leaning Weekly Standard accused The Duran of peddling Russian “Fake News.”
The website does not provide an about page, mission statement, funding, or obvious ownership information.
Read our profile on Cyprus media and goverment.
Funded by / Ownership
Cyprus-based DRN Media PLC owns the Duran. Moscow native Alex Christoforou is the President and Chairman of DRN Media PLC. Funding for The Duran comes from Paypal and Patreon donations and advertising.
Analysis / Bias
In review, The Duran publishes news and opinions with a conservative and pro-Russian perspective, such as this: Roger Stone Shines New Light on Russia-Gate Hoax. This story is copied and pasted directly from the pro-Russian Strategic Culture Foundation. However, all articles involving Russia are generally positively slanted, such as Russia Grinds Out Wins In Europe and Trump boxed in on Iran, as Putin holds key to prevent war in Persian Gulf (Video). In addition, many articles are poorly sourced from Russian Propaganda outlets such as RT and Sputnik.
When covering the USA, the Duran demonstrates a conservative bias with frequent articles denigrating the left such as this: Rudy Giuliani DESTROYS Hillary Clinton, “America’s Number One Crime Family” (Video), and this story promoting a conspiracy theory, NXIVM Sex-Cult Prosecutors Have Evidence Of Illegal Clinton Campaign Contributions For “Political Influence.” This last story is copied and pasted from the right-wing conspiracy website Zerohedge.
In general, The Duran routinely publishes pro-Russian propaganda and promotes right-wing conspiracies through the use of poorly sourced, plagiarized news articles.
Failed Fact Checks
- Hillary Clinton Sold Weapons to ISIS – Fiction
- The U.S. government intentionally engineered the novel coronavirus in research overseen by Dr. Anthony Fauci – False
- CDC Withholding Information on deaths after covid vaccinations – False
Overall, we rate The Duran as a Questionable source based on far-right-wing bias, promotion of Russian propaganda, right-wing conspiracies, a lack of transparency, use of poor sources, plagiarism, and failed fact checks. (D. Van Zandt 11/30/2016) Updated (04/16/2022)
Source: https://theduran.com/
Last Updated on July 1, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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