The Grayzone - Bias and Credibility - Media Bias/Fact Check

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 Grayzone Far-Left Biased and Questionable based on the promotion of propaganda, conspiracy theories, and consistent one-sided reporting.

Detailed Report

Reasoning: Propaganda, Conspiracies, False Claims
Bias Rating: FAR LEFT
Factual Reporting: MIXED
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: LOW CREDIBILITY

History

Founded in 2015 by Max Blumenthal, The Gray Zone is a far-left news and opinion website that produces long-form journalism. Max Blumenthal is a writing fellow of the Nation Institute. He also is a journalist, author, and filmmaker who is a regular contributor to the Questionable Russian news sites, RT and Sputnik. According to their about page, “The Grayzone is an independent news website dedicated to original investigative journalism and analysis on politics and empire.”

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

The left-leaning website Alternet sponsored the Grayzone until 2018. In 2018, The Grayzone became independent, with Max Blumenthal as the owner. Donations generate revenue.

Analysis / Bias

The Grayzone produces in-depth journalism from a far-left perspective such as this The US is turning oil-rich Nigeria into a proxy for its Africa wars. All stories reviewed were properly sourced from mostly credible media and information sources.

Max Blumenthal edits The Grayzone, and therefore, the website reflects his political views. He is a strong supporter of Venezuela and firmly against the USA policies of sanctions and regime change UN expert details crushing human toll of US sanctions on Venezuela. Blumenthal and The Grayzone are vehemently opposed to Israeli occupation and treatment of Palestinians Trump’s fake ‘peace plan’ is permanent apartheid for Palestine. Another common theme is anti-corporate bias, such as How big corporations and Bill Gates took over the UN food Summit.

The Grayzone publishes questionable material, stating that a Chemical Attack did not occur in Douma, Syria OPCW investigator testifies at UN that no chemical attack took place in Douma, Syria. They have also promoted conspiracy theories, such as claiming that Pete Buttigieg is a CIA agent. There is no evidence to support this claim. Finally, according to Radio Free Asia, The Grayzone content is frequently shared by the Chinese Communist Party media outlets “CCP propaganda is also increasingly laundered through Western influencers and denialist fringe media outlets like The Grayzone,” the report said, adding that, between December 2019 and February 2021, The Grayzone was cited at least 313 times in Chinese state media.”

Finally, The Grayzone promotes conspiracy theories involving George Soros funding regime changes, and the editor Max Blumenthal claims that Bill Gates ran a Covid simulation before it occurred. This is false. In general, The Grayzone promotes a socialist left perspective that promotes conspiracy theories and pro-Russian/Chinese propaganda.

Failed Fact Checks

A third-party fact-checker has not directly fact-checked them.

Overall, we rate The Grayzone Far-Left Biased and Questionable based on the promotion of propaganda, conspiracy theories, and consistent one-sided reporting. (D. Van Zandt 9/25/2021)

Last Updated on July 1, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check