United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 1945
Ownership
ABC News is the news division of the American Broadcasting Company, whose broadcast network traces to 1943-1945 (spun off from NBC's Blue Network); the news division itself dates to the mid-1940s. ABC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, which acquired Capital Cities/ABC for $19 billion in a deal closing in 1996. Editorial and corporate control therefore sits with the publicly traded Disney conglomerate.
Funding
ABC News is funded commercially, primarily through television and digital advertising sold against its audience, plus carriage/affiliate arrangements, all within Disney's media operations. There is no state or party financing.
Affiliation & stance
ABC News is owned by a publicly traded commercial corporation with no party or government control, so it is INDEPENDENT. Its coverage is commonly rated center to center-left, but that reflects editorial tendency rather than ownership by any party, church or state.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 287
79/100
Factual
75/100
Objective
331
Articles
331
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Why the U.S. Bomber Withdrawal From a U.K. Air Base Is Significant
The U.S. has withdrawn its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in southern England, a decision made amid heightened security concerns following a suspected terror plot linked to Iran. The move was confirmed by a U.S. Defense Department official, who stated that the bombers have returned to their home stations in the U.S., though no specific reason for the withdrawal was provided. The timing of the removal coincides with the arrest of five U.K. nationals on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses near the base, following intelligence about suspicious vehicles approaching the facility. A dual British-Iranian national was also arrested in London in connection with the case. Experts suggest the withdrawal reflects growing concerns about the safety of U.S. military assets stationed overseas, particularly in light of potential Iranian involvement.
Christa Pike survived lethal injection. How your state carries out executions
Christa Pike, a woman convicted of murdering a classmate over three decades ago, survived two lethal injection doses during her scheduled execution in Tennessee, sparking renewed debate over execution protocols across the United States. This incident has raised questions about the reliability and safety of lethal injection, which accounts for approximately 89% of all executions since 1976. While lethal injection is the most commonly used method, other states employ alternatives such as electrocution, lethal gas, and firing squads. Tennessee’s case highlights variations in execution procedures, with some states allowing inmates to choose their method. The Supreme Court mandates that the death penalty be reserved for the most severe crimes, yet the controversy surrounding Pike’s survival underscores ongoing concerns about the ethics and effectiveness of capital punishment.
Arizona rejects warning from China, opens Taiwan representative office
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Taiwanese representatives officially opened an economic and cultural office aimed at supporting Taiwanese businesses and citizens in the state. This move was made despite pressure from the Chinese government, which has historically opposed such initiatives. The establishment of the office reflects growing U.S.-Taiwan relations and efforts to strengthen ties between Arizona and Taiwan. The action highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics involving U.S. states, Taiwan, and China.
Kash Patel Is Engaged to Country Singer Alexis Wilkins
Kash Patel, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, announced their engagement on social media over the weekend. The announcement was made through a shared post, highlighting their relationship and future plans. The engagement marks a personal milestone for Patel, who has been in the public eye due to his role in law enforcement. While the focus of the article is on the personal news, it underscores the visibility of high-profile individuals in both public service and entertainment sectors.
US citizen who was shot by immigration agent files lawsuit
A U.S. citizen who was shot by a federal agent during an immigration enforcement operation in Chicago one year ago has filed a lawsuit against the federal government. The plaintiff alleges that the agent provided false information regarding the incident and fired into her vehicle from behind. The case highlights concerns about the use of force during immigration-related encounters and potential violations of civil rights. The lawsuit seeks accountability for the alleged misconduct and misrepresentation by the law enforcement officer involved.
Trump criticizes election officials in Arizona’s Maricopa County over error affecting 3,000 ballots
President Donald Trump criticized Arizona's Maricopa County election officials after approximately 3,000 ballots were mistakenly mailed to voters earlier than scheduled. The error occurred during the processing of mail-in ballots, raising concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the voting process. Trump's comments reflect ongoing scrutiny of election procedures, particularly in states where voter turnout and ballot handling have been topics of debate. The incident highlights potential challenges in ensuring proper ballot management and timely delivery, which could impact the final count of votes.
Canadian Press projects election victory for a Quebec separatist party that promises another independence referendum
The article reports that the Canadian Press has projected a victory for a Quebec separatist party in an upcoming election. This party has pledged to hold another referendum on Quebec's independence from Canada. The outcome of this election could significantly impact the political landscape in Quebec and potentially lead to renewed discussions about provincial sovereignty.
Chinese ‘Spy’ Caught Making A Run For It After Secret U.S. Mission
The U.S. Justice Department arrested 34-year-old Wanying 'Heather' Zhang, a real estate agent in California, at Los Angeles International Airport while she attempted to flee to China. Zhang is accused of acting as an unregistered foreign agent for the People's Republic of China (PRC), having surveilled a close relative of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te in Seattle in 2025. Federal authorities claim she coordinated the surveillance mission with another individual and used methods to evade detection. The FBI alleges that Zhang sent photos, videos, and license plate information to PRC officials, potentially providing them with leverage over Taiwan during a potential conflict. This arrest follows heightened U.S. efforts to counter Chinese espionage, particularly under the Trump administration. A spokesperson for Taiwan's president described the incident as part of a broader strategy of 'transnational repression' targeting individuals advocating for democratic values.
What to know about recent A.I. hacks.
The article titled 'What to know about recent A.I. hacks' from The New York Times (World) section aims to provide readers with information on recent incidents involving artificial intelligence systems being hacked. While the specific details of the hacks are not provided in the headline alone, the focus appears to be on understanding the implications, vulnerabilities, and potential risks associated with AI technology. Given the lack of detailed content, the summary remains general but highlights the importance of awareness regarding cybersecurity threats in the realm of artificial intelligence.
How did the Cornell rape case go so wrong?
In October 2024, a student at Cornell University reported a sexual assault by multiple men at a fraternity house, which was initially treated as a campus matter. Two years later, the victim, referred to as 'Jane Doe,' filed a civil lawsuit against the university, fraternity, sorority organizations, and a local bar, alleging they failed to protect her. The accused men's lawyers denied the claims, while Cornell stated disciplinary actions resulted in suspensions and expulsions. When Doe reported the incident to campus police, the district attorney's office determined the allegations did not meet the criteria for criminal charges. Despite reopening the investigation, the district attorney defended his initial decision. Governor Kathy Hochul appointed State Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor, expressing loss of confidence in the district attorney. Legal experts like Lauren Hersh discuss the handling of such cases, limitations of consent laws, and potential reforms.
Trump Says Ohio Arena Was 'MAXED OUT': Timeline of Rally Crowd Size Clashes
President Donald Trump disputed reports about crowd sizes at his October 3 rally in Vandalia, Ohio, calling the venue 'totally MAXED OUT' and claiming thousands could not enter. He accused media outlets like The New York Times of 'Fake News' for highlighting empty upper bleacher sections, which he attributed to a 'migration' process where supporters move to the main floor. Trump also claimed his rallies are consistently filled to capacity, despite NBC News noting empty seats during the event. Critics, including California Democrat Rep. Ted Lieu, questioned the significance of the venue's size, while the article clarifies that the specific quotes Trump cited were from a different rally in Mobile, Alabama.
A replica Oval Office near the White House just got a new Trump makeover. Gold flourishes abound
A replica of the Oval Office at the People's House museum in Washington has been renovated to reflect former President Donald Trump's design preferences during his second term in office. The update includes gold embellishments and other elements that align with Trump's distinctive style. The museum aims to showcase different presidential styles through its exhibits. This renovation provides visitors with a visual representation of how Trump personalized the Oval Office during his time in the White House.
A SCOTUS Petition Argues That Pot Growers, Like Pot Smokers, Cannot Be Categorically Disarmed
Joseph Johnson, a Colorado resident convicted of unauthorized marijuana cultivation in 2015, received probation but later faced federal charges under 18 USC 922(g)(1) due to his felony record, resulting in a 2025 federal prison sentence. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit upheld his conviction, rejecting his claim that it violated the Second Amendment. Johnson is now seeking Supreme Court review to challenge the application of Section 922(g)(1), arguing that nonviolent felons should not be categorically disarmed. This follows the Supreme Court's 2025 ruling in United States v. Hemani, where the Court struck down a similar law against cannabis users. Lower courts remain divided on whether the Second Amendment limits prosecutions under Section 922(g)(1), with some circuits allowing as-applied challenges while others block them. The 10th Circuit previously rejected such challenges in Vincent v. Bondi, involving a nonviolent felony conviction for check fraud.