LEFT BIAS
These media sources are moderate to strongly biased toward progressive/liberal causes through story selection and/or political affiliation. They may use strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appealing to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports, and omit information that may damage progressive/liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy. See all Left Bias sources.
- Overall, we rate West Virginia Watch as Left Biased based on editorial positions that routinely favor the left. We also rate them High in factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean Fact check record.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: LEFT
Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
West Virginia Watch is an online news website from West Virginia. Their about statement reads, “Our journalists will hold public officials and agencies accountable, and inform West Virginians of what’s going on behind closed doors. We focus on issues that affect our state every day – such as poverty, access to health care, the foster care system – with an aim of filling the gaps in coverage caused by shrinking newsrooms.”
Read our profile on the United States government and media.
Funded by / Ownership
West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. States Newsroom publishes numerous other publications. The West Virginia Watch is transparent as they link to the States Newsroom donors page. Initially, when they launched, they got fiscal sponsorship from the Hopewell Foundation; however, once the IRS approved their application for 501(c)(3) charity certification, they severed their ties with the Hopewell Foundation. There has been criticism of their involvement with the Hopewell Foundation, and they have responded here.
Analysis / Bias
West Virginia Watch publishes original news reporting on politics and policy from West Virginia. Coverage focuses on the legislature, the environment, and how national policy affects the people of West Virginia. Articles and headlines promote liberal perspectives through moderate, loaded language Mishandled bodies, mixed-up remains prompt tougher funeral home regulations.
They properly source, linking to credible sources such as whitehouse.gov, Washington Post, Politico, Center for Responsive Politics (Open Secrets), and bls.gov (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Editorially, opinion pieces favor the left, such as this Despite what some politicians say, crime rates are decreasing. On the issues, West Virginia Watch promotes LGBT equality and has concerns about climate change. Finally, they frequently report negatively on Republican politicians, such as this Despite GOP headwinds, citizen-led abortion measures could be on the ballot in 9 states. The West Virginia Watch generally reports news factually; however, story selection and op-eds strongly favor a progressive/liberal perspective.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate West Virginia Watch as Left Biased based on editorial positions that routinely favor the left. We also rate them High in factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean check record. (D. Van Zandt 07/05/2024)
Source: https://westvirginiawatch.com/
Last Updated on July 5, 2024 by Media Bias Fact Check
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Left vs. Right Bias: How we rate the bias of media sources