The Forward
The Forward Rated Lean Left in AllSides February 2024 Small Group Editorial Review
In February 2024, the AllSides team conducted a Small Group Editorial Review of The Forward, in which we moved The Forward’s bias rating from Center to Lean Left.
A small group of AllSides reviewers — one person each with a bias on the left, center, and right — reviewed content from The Forward for media bias. The team noted that The Forward themed nearly all of its content around Jews and Judaism in the United States and Israel.
The team found The Forward displayed a story choice bias that leaned to the Left but also made an effort to show balanced perspectives, particularly with its opinion section and coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
At the time of review, much of the content published by The Forward was centered around the Israel-Hamas conflict or tensions in America arising from it. The Forward also often published content from a Jewish lens on the 2024 U.S. presidential election, free speech at American universities, and pop culture.
The Forward Rated Center in September 2023 Independent Review
Previously, a September 2023 Independent Review returned a bias rating of Center for The Forward.
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Graphic by Mira Fox
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“According to an eyewitness account.” “Israeli officials said in a statement.” “Reportedly.” “Said a student on the condition of anonymity.” “Per Palestinian officials.” “Some experts say.”
For journalists, attributions like these are a crucial tool intended to provide clarity and context. They demonstrate where an idea came from, and whether it might contain bias. Often, they indicate — but do not say directly — that the information has not been independently verified.
But most people do not consume journalism like journalists; their eyes may glaze past attributions to focus on the more substantive information before or after them.