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AlterNet

-4.50
LeftLeft biasWhat does this mean?

How we determined this rating:

  • Independent Review
  • Third-Party Analysis:
  • AllSides has medium confidence in this bias rating.

Unless otherwise noted, this bias rating refers only to online news coverage, not TV, print, or radio content.

Learn about our bias rating methods
Contents
  1. About AlterNet's Bias Rating
  2. What a "Left" Rating Means
  3. Details
  4. Confidence Level
  5. Additional Information
  6. Ownership & Funding

About AlterNet's Bias Rating

AlterNet is featured on the AllSides Media Bias Chart™.

AlterNet is a news media source with an AllSides Media Bias Rating™ of Left.

What a "Left" Rating Means

Sources with an AllSides Media Bias Rating of Left display media bias in ways that strongly align with liberal, progressive, or left-wing thought and/or policy agendas. This is our most liberal rating on the political spectrum.

Learn more about Left ratings

Details

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Confidence Level

Confidence is determined by how many reviews have been applied and consistency of data.

As of June 2026, AllSides has medium confidence in our Left rating for AlterNet. An Editorial Review or Blind Bias Survey has affirmed this rating, or multiple reviews have returned differing results. If we perform more bias reviews and gather consistent data, this confidence level will increase.

Additional Information

AlterNet is a digital news website with a focus on progressive U.S. politics, culture and government. It was founded in 1987 by the Institute for Alternative Journalism, and was owned by it until being acquired in 2018 by RawStory founder and publisher John K. Byrne, who merged it with his existing site to form AlterNet Media. Source: Wikipedia.

AlterNet.org calls itself is "an award-winning news magazine and online community that creates original journalism and amplifies the best of hundreds of other independent media sources. AlterNet’s aim is to inspire action and advocacy on the environment, human rights and civil liberties, social justice, media, health care issues, and more." The site describes its work as "strategic journalism," which "confronts the failures of corporate media, as well as the vitriol and disinformation of right wing media, especially “hate talk” media."

In a press release, AlterNet called itself "a pioneer and leader in progressive online journalism." The site's stated mission is "to inspire citizen action and advocacy on the environment, human rights and civil liberties, social justice, media and health care issues."

History of Our Media Bias Rating

AlterNet has maintained a Left media bias rating since being added to the AllSides database in October 2015.

Third Party Analysis of Alternet Bias

AlterNet has been given a mixed rating by Snopes.com fact checks, and was included in an initial index of "unreliable" news websites crafted by numerous media scientists and fact-checking groups.

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AlterNet Ownership and Funding

Funding and ownership do not influence bias ratings. We rate the bias of content only.

Owner: Raw Story Media, Inc.

In April 2018, Alternet was acquired by the partners of RawStory.com. Raw Story is owned by Raw Story Media, Inc. John K. Byrne is the founder, chairman and CEO, as well as a partner. Michael Rogers is the vice chairman, partner and managing director.

Financing and ownership information last updated February 22, 2021. If you think this information is out of date or needs to be updated, please contact us.