LEFT-CENTER BIAS
These media sources have a slight to moderate 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 liberal causes. These sources are generally trustworthy for information but may require further investigation. See all Left-Center sources.
- Overall, we rate The Plain Dealer as Left-Center Biased based on editorial positions that moderately favor the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Newspaper
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Founded in 1842, The Plain Dealer is a broadsheet newspaper from Cleveland, Ohio. The paper and website cover local, national, sports, business, and lifestyle news.
Read our profile on the USA government’s influence on media.
Funded by / Ownership
The Plain Dealer is owned by Advance Publications. The company dates to the early 1920s and is owned by the Newhouse family. Donald Newhouse, together with his brother Samuel “Si” Newhouse Jr. owns Advance Publications. The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, and Reddit are all produced by Advance Publications. Revenue is generated through advertising and subscription sales.
Analysis / Bias
The Plain Dealer covers local news through journalists with minimal bias such as this Cleveland woman dies in one-vehicle crash on Interstate 480 on Christmas Eve. National and international news is covered through the Associated Press.
Editorially, the Cleveland Plain Dealer has endorsed Democratic Presidential candidates since 2008, including Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. The op-ed pages primarily consist of letters to the editor versus regular columnists. Although there is reasonable balance in the columns, some do offer loaded language and strong left-leaning perspectives such as this: The GOP’s transformation from party to cult is now complete. In general, the news is reported factually with a left-leaning editorial bias.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate The Plain Dealer as Left-Center Biased based on editorial positions that moderately favor the left. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact-check record. (5/18/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 12/04/2022)
Last Updated on December 4, 2022 by Media Bias Fact Check
Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources
