What Is the Political Bias of La Silla Vacía? Left, Right, or Center Explained
La Silla Vacía Overview and Political Bias
Observers often characterize La Silla Vacía as a centrist or liberal-leaning outlet. While it emphasizes transparency and power-mapping, critics from the political right have alleged a progressive bias, whereas some on the left claim it represents neoliberal interests. The site maintains that its primary goal is providing independent investigative analysis.
| Standpoint | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Overall political leaning | Center |
| Estimated number of readers | 1,500,000 |
| Israel support | Neutral / Analytical reporting |
| Use of loaded / emotional language | Low |
| Target Audience | Elite / Politically engaged |
La Silla Vacía History
Founded in 2009 by journalist Juanita León, La Silla Vacía was one of Colombia's first digital-native news sites. It gained prominence for its 'Who’s Who' database and focus on how power is exercised. It has since expanded into fact-checking, becoming a key player in Colombian political journalism.
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Who owns La Silla Vacía?
The site is owned by its founder, Juanita León. Its funding is diversified, including international grants from organizations like the Open Society Foundations and the Ford Foundation, a reader-supported 'SuperAmigos' membership program, and commercial revenue. It explicitly avoids funding from traditional Colombian economic conglomerates to maintain independence.