Fact check: What are the most unbiased news sources in the US?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, several news sources are consistently identified as among the most unbiased in the US:

Top-tier unbiased sources include:

• Associated Press (AP) - Described as an independent, nonpartisan news cooperative that has been "advancing the power of facts since 1846" with a focus on accurate, fact-based, and nonpartisan reporting ^[1]. The AP prides itself on "accurate, independent, and nonpartisan journalism" with a long history and wide reach ^[2]
• Reuters - Listed among the 13 most unbiased news sources ^[1]
• NPR - Also included in the list of unbiased sources ^[1]
• BBC - Mentioned as one of the unbiased news sources ^[1]

Additional sources identified:

The analyses reference a comprehensive list of 13 most unbiased news sources for 2025, which includes centrist, left-wing, and right-wing sources, complete with monthly unique visitors, AllSides media bias ratings, and ownership information ^[3]. ProPublica is highlighted as a nonprofit newsroom producing investigative journalism in the public interest, suggesting a commitment to unbiased reporting through accountability journalism ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several important contextual considerations:

Methodology matters: The analyses reveal that determining "unbiased" sources involves specific rating systems like AllSides media bias ratings ^{[1] [3]}, but the original question doesn't specify what criteria should define "unbiased."

Balanced consumption approach: One source emphasizes "the importance of consuming a balanced news diet" rather than relying solely on individual "unbiased" sources ^[5]. This suggests that true objectivity might come from reading across the political spectrum rather than finding perfectly neutral sources.

The "fact-based journalism" debate: The analyses reference discussions about the rise of "fact-based journalism" in response to "fake news" concerns, with some critics arguing the term is redundant since "all journalism should be based on facts" ^[6]. This highlights ongoing debates about what constitutes truly unbiased reporting.

Ownership and financial interests: The comprehensive source lists include ownership information ^[3], suggesting that understanding who controls news organizations is crucial for assessing potential bias - information missing from the original question.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself doesn't contain misinformation, but it reflects a potentially oversimplified understanding of media bias:

False premise of perfect neutrality: The question assumes that truly "unbiased" sources exist, when the analyses suggest that bias assessment is more nuanced, involving rating systems and the recognition that different sources may have different types of bias ^[3].

Missing acknowledgment of subjectivity: The question doesn't recognize that perceptions of bias can vary based on the reader's own political perspective, and what appears "unbiased" to one person may seem biased to another.

Incomplete framing: By asking only for "unbiased" sources, the question ignores the alternative approach suggested in the analyses - that consuming a diverse range of sources across the political spectrum might be more effective than seeking individual unbiased outlets ^[5].