- Lean
- Lean Left (AllSides)
- Reliability
- High factual reporting (MBFC)
- Founded
- 1843
- Headquarters
- London
- Owner
- The Economist Group
- Funding
- The Economist is published by The Economist Group, a private company whose structure is designed to protect editorial independence: no shareholder can hold more than 20% of voting rights, and independent trustees must approve key changes.
On this page
The Economist Bias: What the Ratings Show
AllSides rates The Economist Lean Left; Ad Fontes Media scores its bias at -3.05 (Middle) and its reliability at 41.37 (Reliable, Analysis/Fact Reporting); and Media Bias/Fact Check rates it Least Biased with High factual reporting.
The Economist does not fit neatly on a left-right line. It supports free trade and open markets, which reads as right of center to some, and liberal positions on social issues, which reads as left to others. Raters place it from Least Biased (Media Bias/Fact Check) to Middle (Ad Fontes Media) and Lean Left (AllSides).
Compare The Economist with every other outlet on the media bias chart.
Is The Economist Biased?
The Economist takes clear editorial positions, and most of its articles carry the publication's collective voice without a byline. That makes its viewpoint visible rather than hidden.
How Reliable Is The Economist?
Media Bias/Fact Check rates its factual reporting High and Ad Fontes Media rates it Reliable for analysis and fact reporting.
How The Economist Handles Corrections
The Economist corrects errors with a dated correction note on the article concerned.
The Economist Bias Rating From Independent Raters
All bars use one shared scale: the shaded band is each rater's own center zone, lined up. How we combine the raters
| Rater | Bias rating | Factual / reliability |
|---|---|---|
| AllSides | Lean Left | Not rated (lean only) |
| Ad Fontes Media | Middle (-3.05) | 41.37: Reliable, Analysis/Fact Reporting |
| Media Bias/Fact Check | Least Biased (0.4) | High, High Credibility |
Who Funds The Economist?
The Economist is published by The Economist Group, a private company whose structure is designed to protect editorial independence: no shareholder can hold more than 20% of voting rights, and independent trustees must approve key changes. Exor, the Agnelli family's holding company, is the largest shareholder. Revenue comes mainly from subscriptions, with advertising and events.
Why The Economist Is in Aplomb
The Economist meets all six of our source criteria. Its ownership structure caps any shareholder at 20% of voting rights, with trustees protecting editorial independence. What to watch for: it is analysis-heavy and argues a declared editorial line, so treat its videos as explanation rather than breaking news.
Looking for other apps that take bias seriously? See our comparison of the best unbiased news apps.
Watch The Economist next to Reuters, BBC and AP, one swipe at a time.
Latest Videos From The Economist
2:13 Which voters swung the most towards the Democrats?
Visit The Economist
2:39 Are the midterm polls overestimating Democrats' support?
Visit The Economist
2:52 The Kremlin has killed Russia’s last free newspaper
Visit The EconomistCompare The Economist With Similar Sources
The Economist FAQ
Is The Economist conservative or liberal?
It describes itself as classically liberal: pro free markets and pro civil liberties. Raters place it from Least Biased to Lean Left.
Is The Economist reliable?
Yes. Media Bias/Fact Check rates its factual reporting High and Ad Fontes Media rates it Reliable.
What is The Economist's bias rating?
AllSides: Lean Left. Ad Fontes Media: Middle (-3.05), Reliable (41.37). Media Bias/Fact Check: Least Biased, High factual reporting.
Vetted news, in the format you already scrollA vertical news feed from vetted newsrooms only.