LEFT BIAS
These media sources are moderately to strongly biased toward liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports and omit reporting of information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate Upworthy Left Biased based on story selection and editorial positions that always favor the left. We also rate them as Mostly Factual in reporting due to a failed fact check.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: USA
Press Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Upworthy is a website for viral content that was started in March 2012 by Eli Pariser, the former executive director of MoveOn, and Peter Koechley, the former managing editor of The Onion. It uses virality to promote stories with a progressive bent on political and social issues. The website does not feature an about page, though the authors are appropriately named.
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
Upworthy is owned by Good Worldwide, which is a company with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle that reports on businesses and non-profits. Revenue is generated through advertising.
Analysis / Bias
In review, Upworthy publishes a wide range of news that they feel is click or upworthy. The primary purpose is to produce content that will go viral. An example of a popular story is this: Man pulls off elaborate scheme involving body double to get his overweight cat on an airplane. While politics is not their main coverage, they do report on political news with a solid left-leaning bias, such as this, Trump’s unprecedented refugee policy is a huge economic mistake. Here’s why and this Elizabeth Warren sent dinner to Bernie Sanders’ team and shared some very kind words after his heart surgery. As can be easily seen, there is a significant difference in wording and tone when covering the right through the use of loaded negative wording, while the left receives “purr words” (kind, praising). Generally, story and editorial selection always favors the left and is reasonably sourced.
Failed Fact Checks
Overall, we rate Upworthy Left Biased based on story selection and editorial positions that always favor the left. We also rate them as Mostly Factual in reporting due to a failed fact check. (5/15/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 11/21/2022)
Source: https://www.upworthy.com/
Last Updated on November 21, 2022 by Media Bias Fact Check
Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources
