Zaytung – Bias and Credibility

These sources exclusively use humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues. Primarily these sources are clear that they are satire and do not attempt to deceive.  See all Satire sources.

• Overall, we rate Zaytung as a satirical website based on proper identification at the bottom of the pages.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: SATIRE
Factual Reporting: N/A
Country: Turkey
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: LIMITED FREEDOM
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: N/A

History

Founded in 2010, Zaytung is a Turkish satirical website that publishes articles on current events, entertainment, sports, and public figures. Hakan Bilginer is the founder, and it is Turkey’s version of The Onion from the United States. Zaytung’s tagline is “Honest, objective, and immoral news.”

Read our profile on the Turkish government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

Zaytung is owned by Hakan Bilginer. They generate revenue through online advertising.

Analysis / Bias

Zaytung produces satirical articles based on stories that might seem real, as its satirical pieces have been mistaken for real news. For example, according to an al-monitor article, “In 2012, during Zaytung’s early days, the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) denied a Zaytung report on an atheist imam in a village in southwestern Turkey who was asked to step down but refused to do so.” Zaytung also has a section dedicated to public opinion: Halkın Sesi (The voice of the people).

Articles cover current topics, politics, and politicians. At the bottom of the page, Zaytung discloses itself as a satire site with this statement “All written and visual materials on the site are fake, up to html codes. Those whose bone age is less than 18 cannot enter the site even to look at a friend and leave immediately.”

Overall, we rate Zaytung as a satirical website based on proper identification at the bottom of the pages. (M. Huitsing 02/28/2023)

Source: https://zaytung.com/