Fact check: The Hartmann reports

1. Summary of the results

The Hartmann Report is a daily newsletter and podcast hosted by Thom Hartmann that focuses on progressive politics, economics, science, and news ^[1]. The report is described as an independent daily podcast hosted by an award-winning author, radio and TV host who discusses politics, science, and culture through debate with a focus on the bigger picture ^[2].

Thom Hartmann operates across multiple platforms, including his official website which serves as a platform for his radio show, podcasts, books, and other media appearances ^[3]. His work extends beyond The Hartmann Report to include articles published in The New Republic, where he covers topics including politics, climate change, and social issues, often critiquing current political events and figures from a progressive perspective ^[4].

However, a significant finding emerges regarding the publication's credibility: The Hartmann Report has been rated as "Hyper-Partisan Left" with a reliability score of 23.61 and a bias score of -21.11, indicating that the source is considered unreliable and problematic with a strong left-leaning bias ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original statement "The Hartmann reports" provides no context about the nature, credibility, or political orientation of this media source. Critical missing information includes:

• The publication's documented reliability issues - with a reliability score of only 23.61 out of 100, indicating significant credibility concerns ^[5]
• The explicitly partisan nature of the content, which is rated as "Hyper-Partisan Left" rather than neutral journalism ^[5]
• The progressive political agenda that underlies the reporting, as evidenced by the focus on progressive politics and social commentary ^{[6] [4]}

Alternative viewpoints would emphasize that consumers of this media should be aware they are receiving politically filtered information rather than objective reporting. Conservative or centrist perspectives would likely highlight the importance of seeking balanced sources when The Hartmann Report is cited as a news source.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

While the original statement itself is factually neutral, it omits crucial context about the source's credibility and political orientation. By simply stating "The Hartmann reports" without acknowledging the publication's documented bias and reliability issues, readers might assume they are receiving objective journalism rather than partisan commentary.

The statement fails to disclose that readers would be consuming content from a source that has been independently assessed as unreliable and hyper-partisan ^[5]. This omission could mislead audiences about the nature and trustworthiness of the information they're about to receive, potentially contributing to the spread of politically biased information presented as neutral reporting.