Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC) is a limited liability company (LLC) and website that classifies media outlets based on ideological leanings, factual basis, and reporting. MBFC was founded in 2015 by Dave M. Van Zandt, who also works as the website’s editor. ^{1 2}

Funding

According to its website, as of September 2023, Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC) generates 65% of its revenue from membership fees, while offering “Ad-Free Browsing Membership at the cost of $5 per month or $50 per year.” In addition, 35% of its revenue comes from advertising through the usage of “two third-party advertising companies, Google Adsense and Snigel.” MBFC’s website also claims that it is “not motivated by payment from a single corporation, person, or political party.” Finally, another 5% of revenue through online donations offered in several levels of payment per month through Patreon and Paypal. The website also claims it does “not accept money from corporations, businesses, foundations, think tanks, politicians, or political parties.” ³

Methodology

Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC) claims to rank and evaluate media outlets based on ideological leanings, accuracy of reporting, and its own reporting. The website ranks each outlet on a “left-to-right” axis with seven points: from “extreme left” to “extreme right” with “least biased” in the center. As of December 2024, MBFC rated CNN “left-center,” Fox News “right,” and Reuters “least biased.” Ratings are determined by four categories: “Biased Wording/Headlines,” “Factual/Sourcing,” “Story Choices,” and “Political Affiliation.” ⁴

The website ranks news outlet accuracy on a scale of zero to ten, with zero being the best score. MBFC claims that such evaluation is based on fact checks, transparency, source quality, and the presence of “conspiracy theories.” ^{4 1}

Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC) states that it does not use artificial intelligence (AI) in the writing or reporting of any content on its website. In a statement, MBFC claims that “bias is unique to humans and that only humans can accurately determine bias. While AI is a powerful tool with great potential, it cannot replicate a human’s ability to read between the lines and interpret intent.” ⁵

Criticism

In 2018, the Poynter Institute for Media Studies claimed that the media bias reporting methodology used by Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC) was “in no way scientific.” ⁶

In 2017, media outlet Just Facts published an article disputing its ranking with MBFC while claiming the site attempted to avoid criticism by arguing that the ranking was written by an employee who had since left the organization. ⁷ As of December 2024, MBFC gives Just Facts a “Right-Center” ideological rating and a “Mixed” factual rating. ⁸

Leadership

Dave Van Zandt is the founder and editor of Media Bias Fact Check. According to Media Bias Fact Check, Van Zandt lives in North Carolina, previously earned a communications degree, and works within the healthcare industry. He is not to be confused with David E. Van Zandt, the president of the New School.¹

1. “Frequently Asked Questions.” Media Bias/Fact Check. Accessed December 23, 2024. https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/frequently-asked-questions/.
2. “About.” Media Bias/Fact Check. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/about/
3. “Funding.” Media Bias/Fact Check, Accessed March 10, 2025. https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/funding/
4. “Methodology.” Media Bias/Fact Check. Accessed December 23, 2024. https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/methodology/.
5. “About.” Media Bias/Fact Check. Accessed December 23, 2024. https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/about/.
6. Funke, Daniel; Mantzarlis, Alexios. “Here’s what to expect from fact-checking in 2019.” Poynter. December 18, 2018. Accessed December 23, 2024. https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2018/heres-what-to-expect-from-fact-checking-in-2019/.
7. Agresti, James D. “Media Bias Fact Check: Incompetent or Dishonest?.” JustFactsDaily. April 24, 2017. Accessed December 23, 2024. https://www.justfactsdaily.com/media-bias-fact-check-incompetent-or-dishonest.
8. “Just Facts – Bias and Credibility.” Media Bias/ Fact Check. Accessed December 23, 2024. https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/just-facts/.