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 The Insider as Left-Center Biased for its strong focus on exposing authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights issues, particularly concerning the Russian government. Its reporting is rated as Mostly Factual due to credible investigative journalism, often in collaboration with outlets like Bellingcat. However, its selective story choices and one-sided framing of Russia as overwhelmingly negative limit it to a Mostly Factual rating rather than High Factual.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER (-3.5)
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL (3.0)
Country: Latvia
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
The Insider is a Russian online newspaper established in 2013 by journalist Roman Dobrokhotov. The publication focuses on investigative journalism, fact-checking, and political analysis, offering content in both Russian and English. In 2021, the Russian Justice Ministry labeled The Insider a “foreign agent,” indicating it may receive funding from outside Russia. The Insider is based in Riga, Latvia. The publication frequently collaborates with international investigative platforms like Bellingcat and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
Read our profile on Latvian media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
The Insider is owned by its founder, Roman Dobrokhotov. Reader donations generate revenue. Additional revenue sources, such as potential grants or partnerships, are not transparently disclosed.
Analysis / Bias
The Insider demonstrates a left-leaning, pro-democracy bias, with a focus on investigative journalism targeting Russian state actions and systemic issues. Its investigative reporting often collaborates with outlets like Bellingcat, known for its left-leaning investigative approach. For example, the story “Times are hard now”: Teachers in Russia’s Nizhny Tagil receive gift certificates for tombstones critiques the socio-economic conditions in Russia by discussing a controversial initiative where teachers were offered discounts on tombstones. The article cites the Telegram channel Podyem, a less credible source, which diminishes its overall reliability despite including responses from the funeral company involved.
The Insider also publishes in-depth investigations such as “Free Pablo and Fancy Bear: GRU illegal Pavel Rubtsov got a warm welcome home in Moscow by a hacker on the FBI Most Wanted List.” This in-depth investigation links GRU operative Pavel Rubtsov, exchanged in a prisoner swap, to notorious hacking operations and disinformation campaigns. The GRU, or Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, is Russia’s military intelligence agency. It is responsible for foreign military intelligence and operates special forces units known as Spetsnaz GRU. The article relies on collaborations with outlets like Agents.Media, Christo Grozev, and Bellingcat
Additional headlines such as “Families of killed Russian soldiers gifted shaving foam and shampoo” and “War widows in Russia’s Vladivostok gifted salami packages as government support measure” further underline the outlet’s critical focus on Russian governance and societal hardships often painting a bleak picture of economic and social policies.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate The Insider as Left-Center Biased for its strong focus on exposing authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights issues, particularly concerning the Russian government. Its reporting is rated as Mostly Factual due to credible investigative journalism, often in collaboration with outlets like Bellingcat. However, its selective story choices and one-sided framing of Russia as overwhelmingly negative limit it to a Mostly Factual rating rather than High Factual. (M. Huitsing 12/02/2024)
Source: https://theins.ru/en
Last Updated on December 1, 2024 by Media Bias Fact Check
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