After measuring visibility bias, researchers found CNN, Fox News and MSNBC have all shifted away from the centre of the political spectrum

With confidence in the news media dipping to historic lows, it’s no surprise that a primary gripe the public has with outlets is their perceived biases. 

New research backs this up – The University of Pennsylvania analysed 10 years worth of content from CNN, Fox News and MSNBC.

The research revealed shifting media biases over the study window, while prime-time shows largely drove heightened polarization between the channels. 

So how did they stack up? Fox News tended to skew toward the right over the past decade while MSNBC and CNN moved left.

Political leanings

The team focused on visibility bias, assessing the perceived political leanings of guests who appeared on the networks. 

Polarization between the networks was particularly acute in the period following the 2016 presidential election of former President Trump and continued to shift over time.

The data shows the relationship between Fox News, CNN and MSNBC has polarized — growing increasingly distant from one another.

So in essence, it’s like a civil war.