Zenger News – Bias and Credibility

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 Zenger News Left-Center Biased based on story selection that slightly favors the left. We also rate them as Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to a failed fact check and the occasional reliance on poor sources.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEFT-CENTER
Factual Reporting: MOSTLY FACTUAL
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: MEDIUM CREDIBILITY

History

Founded in 2019, Zenger News is a news organization that provides a wide range of domestic and global news stories. The Chief Executive Officer is Richard Miniter. The news topics include politics, government, business, technology, sports, entertainment, science, nature, and lifestyle. Zenger News is based in Austin, TX.

According to their about page, “Zenger is the world’s first digitally native wire service.”

Read our profile on the United States government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

Zenger News operates under Z News Service, Inc. The company claims that most of its shares are owned by its journalists. Their funding sources include advertising, affiliate links, licensing of articles and videos, software licenses, event sponsorships, and other business transactions. On April 17, 2023, according to available records, Z News Service, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Code.

Analysis / Bias

Zenger News operates as an open platform, allowing global journalists to contribute. The platform does not publish opinions and refrains from endorsing political candidates or parties.

In review, Zenger News publishes news articles that are generally factual and reasonably sourced. For instance, the article titled “Ex-President’s Niece Calls Georgia Election Indictment ‘Beyond Ironclad’” uses direct quotes from Mary Trump and other individuals, presenting their perspectives on the indictment. The word choices in this article, such as “This Trump gang has organized the crime mob in action” and “This case is beyond Ironclad,” indicate a critical stance towards Donald Trump and his associates. The article cites statements from Mary Trump and political scientist Norman Ornstein and references a podcast episode, providing context through direct quotes and statements. The article states that it was “produced in association with Benzinga.”

Another article, “China: A ‘Ticking Time Bomb,’ Says Biden Amid Rift With Xi Jinping,” presents U.S. President Joe Biden’s concerns about China’s economic challenges. The word choices in this article, such as “China is in trouble” and “bad folks have problems, they do bad things,” reflect Biden’s critical view of China’s current situation. The article also mentions Biden’s previous statement, where he referred to Xi Jinping as a “dictator.” The article references statements from President Biden, reports from The Guardian, and data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS), providing context through direct quotes and statements. Benzinga contributed to the production of this article as well.

In general, Zenger News is mostly factual; however, they have failed a fact check and had to delete false information based on using a poor source such as ANI. Editorially, slightly more stories favor the left.

Failed Fact Checks

• US Warns Of Polio-Like Illness Outbreak In Four Months – False (Deleted)
• Ukrainian missile attack on the Russian city of Shakhty on July 19, 2022 – False

Overall, we rate Zenger News Left-Center Biased based on story selection that slightly favors the left. We also rate them as Mostly Factual in reporting rather than High due to a failed fact check and the occasional reliance on poor sources. (M. Huitsing 08/21/2023)

Source: https://www.zenger.news/