NewsBusters

NewsBusters is an online news blog operated by the Media Research Center (MRC) that monitors and critiques coverage of current events in major U.S. news outlets. The site aims to document what its publishers describe as liberal or biased reporting and to provide examples of media bias in domestic news, commentary, and editorial decisions. Content typically comprises short posts that highlight specific broadcasts, articles, or quotes, often accompanied by video clips or transcripts and brief commentary from editors and contributing writers.

History and scope: NewsBusters was launched in the early 2000s as part of the MRC's broader media watchdog work. Over the years it has published thousands of posts from a network of staff writers and volunteers who regularly analyze coverage from television networks, national newspapers, and wire services. The site covers outlets across the political spectrum but emphasizes perceived liberal bias in mainstream media.

Content and approach: Posts commonly identify perceived bias in coverage, including framing choices, selection of sources, and questions of balance. The site highlights examples from broadcast networks, cable news channels, and national newspapers, and often cross-links to related MRC projects. It also features periodic roundups and occasional video compilations illustrating patterns of reporting.

Reception and impact: NewsBusters has been cited by conservative media and political figures as evidence of media bias. It is part of a broader ecosystem of media-watch groups. Critics, including some journalists and scholars, describe it as a partisan resource that emphasizes selective quotation and anecdotal evidence rather than balanced, systematic analysis.

See also: Media bias; Media Research Center; List of media watchdogs.