Is The Independent Trustworthy? Media Bias, Fact-Checking, and Reliability Review
The Independent Overview and Political Bias
The Independent is often characterized as center-left and socially liberal. Critics suggest it maintains a strong pro-European stance and prioritizes environmental advocacy. While it claims impartiality, observers sometimes point to its use of sensationalist headlines, and it is frequently described as sympathetic toward Palestinian humanitarian concerns in its reporting.
| Standpoint | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Overall political leaning | Center |
| Estimated number of readers | 100,000,000 |
| Israel support | Critically balanced; often described as leaning Pro-Palestine |
| Use of loaded / emotional language | Medium |
| Target Audience | Mass market / Liberal |
The Independent History
Established in 1986 by three former Daily Telegraph journalists, The Independent was created as a non-partisan alternative to established UK broadsheets. It innovated with a compact layout in 2003 before making history in 2016 as the first major British newspaper to cease print operations and become digital-only.
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Who owns The Independent?
The outlet is owned by Independent Digital News & Media Ltd. Key shareholders include Evgeny Lebedev, a Russian-born British businessman, and Sultan Muhammad Abuljadayel, a Saudi investor. Revenue is generated through digital advertising, reader contributions, affiliate marketing via IndyBest, and the 'Independent Premium' subscription model.