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 appeals 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 TV3 – New Zealand center Left-Center biased based on story selection and editorial positions that moderately favor the left. We also rate them as Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to poor sourcing techniques and a failed fact check.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: New Zealand
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: EXCELLENT
Media Type: TV Station
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Launched on 26 November 1989 as TV3, rebranded as Three, and stylized as “+HR+E” in 2017, Three is a New Zealand nationwide TV channel based in Auckland, New Zealand. Three offers news, current affairs, and entertainment. A “news” link on the website links to the Newshub website.
Read our profile on New Zealand’s government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
In 2020, MediaWorks sold TV3 – New Zealand and related entities to US multimedia entertainment company Discovery, Inc. (now Warner Bros. Discovery). TV3 – New Zealand is funded through advertising.
Analysis / Bias
TV3 – New Zealand publishes news via the Newshub website with strong, emotionally loaded words, such as: “Who Mayor Wayne Brown was calling, texting as Auckland flooded.” Mayor Brown is the center-right Mayor of Auckland. He has been criticized for the delay in declaring a state of emergency as Auckland flooded. A quote from the article reads, “Newshub has obtained a log of calls and text messages Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown made on the day New Zealand’s largest city experienced widespread flooding.”
Other examples of loaded language include: “Ministry for Environment slammed by ACT Party for spending $913,000 on flights in 11 months,” and “New Zealanders rank inflation, cost of living as most important issue country faces.”
Regarding sourcing, TV3 – New Zealand utilizes credible sources such as IPSOS and environment.govt.nz through quotes and images; however, they often don’t provide hyperlinks; therefore, it is difficult to verify the claims. Further, their poll reporting has been criticized, such as in this opinion piece where it is accused of bias, “Opinion: Newshub’s biased poll reporting.”
In general, TV3 – New Zealand is mostly factual based on not always sourcing properly and a failed fact check. They also hold left-leaning editorial positions such as this Nearly two thirds of Kiwi LGBTQ+ travellers suffer negative holiday experiences – report.
Failed Fact Checks (Newshub)
Overall, we rate TV3 – New Zealand center Left-Center biased based on story selection and editorial positions that moderately favor the left. We also rate them as Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to poor sourcing techniques and a failed fact check. (M. Huitsing 03/02/2023)
Source: https://www.threenow.co.nz/
Last Updated on July 1, 2023 by Media Bias Fact Check
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