United KingdomOwnership & classification
Founded: 1843
Ownership
The Economist, founded in 1843 by Scottish businessman James Wilson, is published by The Economist Group. Its largest shareholder is Exor, the holding company of Italy's Agnelli family, with roughly a 43% stake acquired from Pearson in 2015. In 2026 the Rothschild family sold its long-held ~27% stake to Canadian financier Stephen Smith's Smith Financial Corporation; other shares are held by the Group itself and a spread of investors. Crucially, no single shareholder may exercise more than 20% of voting rights.
Funding
Funded commercially through subscriptions and a digital paywall, newsstand sales, advertising and the Group's research and events businesses. It receives no state or party money.
Affiliation & stance
The Economist takes a classical-liberal / centre-right (free-market, socially liberal) editorial line but is institutionally insulated from its owners: a board of independent trustees safeguards its editorial independence and controls appointment of the editor-in-chief, and the 20% voting cap blocks any owner from gaining control. As a commercially owned title with entrenched independence from party and state, it is INDEPENDENT (matching the site's INDEPENDENT/CENTER_RIGHT guess).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Conservative
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 297
64/100
Factual
68/100
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
Greens Pass ‘Zionism Is Racism’ Motion at Party Conference
At their largest-ever conference in Brighton, UK Green Party members passed a motion declaring Zionism as racism, making them the first mainstream British political party to take such a stance. The motion, supported by 1,022 votes to 813, calls for backing a single, democratic Palestinian state, supporting Palestinian political prisoners, opposing the Palestine Action ban, and affirming Palestinians' right to resistance. An amendment aimed at protecting Jewish members affiliated with Zionist institutions was rejected. Proponents argue the motion distinguishes between Judaism and Zionism and does not affect internal party discipline. The decision sparked controversy, with pro-Israel demonstrators protesting outside the conference, accusing the Greens of promoting racism. Internal divisions were evident, with senior figures like co-deputy leader Mothin Ali supporting the motion while former leader Caroline Lucas opposed it. Green Party policy has previously described Israeli actions as apartheid and genocide, and supports a full arms embargo and an end to occupation.
Brazil’s Lula Was Overtaken by a Trump-Backed Nepo Baby
Brazil's presidential election results show a close race between incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Lula, a veteran leftist leader, faces Bolsonaro, a younger candidate associated with the far-right and linked to his father's controversial legacy. The article highlights concerns over foreign influence, particularly referencing U.S. President Donald Trump's support for Jair Bolsonaro during his legal troubles, including allegations of attempting to undermine Lula's candidacy through economic pressure and diplomatic actions. Lula's campaign focused on reconnecting with everyday Brazilians through simple pleasures, while Bolsonaro's approach has shifted toward nationalism and resistance to external interference. Despite initial polls favoring Lula, he narrowly lost the first round, setting up a runoff. The article frames the situation as a struggle between democratic governance and authoritarian tendencies, suggesting potential implications for Brazil's political stability.
The bond market sell-off is helping the dollar
The article discusses how the recent sell-off in the bond market is contributing to the strengthening of the US dollar. It suggests that investors' concerns over economic uncertainty and inflation are leading to reduced demand for bonds, which in turn affects currency values. This dynamic highlights the interconnectedness between financial markets and global currencies.
Spain PM pins hopes on housing crisis to help win snap election
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a snap election for 29 November following a parliamentary defeat on housing-related reforms. The proposed measures, intended to improve tenant conditions and curb rising rents, were narrowly rejected by right-wing parties. This outcome signaled that Sánchez's left-wing coalition no longer holds a majority. Sánchez's government has faced multiple challenges, including corruption scandals involving high-profile members of his Socialist Party, legal troubles involving his wife, and difficulties managing a migrant influx in Ceuta. Right-wing parties like the PP and Vox consistently oppose Sánchez's policies, viewing his government as illegitimate due to scandals and perceived reliance on regional nationalist groups. Despite housing being a major concern for Spaniards, opinion polls indicate the Socialists are trailing behind the PP, making the upcoming election a significant test for Sánchez's leadership.
Germany and France want EU storm gates for China’s trade surge
The Economist reports that Germany and France are advocating for the European Union to implement 'storm gates', a proposed mechanism, to manage the rapid increase in Chinese trade within the bloc. The suggestion comes amid concerns over the economic impact of China's growing influence on EU markets. While the article does not elaborate on the specifics of these 'storm gates,' it highlights the strategic interest of these two major EU nations in shaping trade policies in response to China's expanding presence. The focus appears to be on the potential need for regulatory measures to safeguard EU interests while maintaining trade relations.
The Bolsonaro comeback in Brazil
The article discusses the potential resurgence of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazilian politics, highlighting his continued influence despite his loss in the 2022 presidential election. It notes his strong support among certain segments of the population and his ongoing role in shaping political discourse through social media and grassroots mobilization. The piece examines the factors contributing to his enduring appeal, including his nationalist rhetoric and criticism of corruption. It also touches on the challenges he faces in re-entering formal politics and the broader implications for Brazil’s political landscape.
The War Room newsletter: Operation Vivaldi is wrong-footing Russia
The Economist's 'The War Room' newsletter discusses Operation Vivaldi, a Western-led initiative aimed at disrupting Russian cyber operations. The article suggests that this operation is effectively confusing or misdirecting Russian efforts by creating false targets or misleading intelligence. While the newsletter presents Operation Vivaldi as a strategic move to counter Russian influence, it does not provide detailed evidence or specific outcomes to support this claim. The focus is on the potential impact of such operations on the broader cybersecurity landscape and their implications for international relations.
Fifty years after the Cultural Revolution, China won’t talk about it
The article discusses how China has largely avoided discussing the Cultural Revolution, a tumultuous period in its history marked by political persecution and social upheaval. It highlights the government's efforts to suppress open discussion of the era, emphasizing censorship and historical revisionism. The piece notes that while some scholars and intellectuals still study the period privately, public discourse remains heavily restricted. This silence is seen as part of broader patterns of state control over historical narratives. The article underscores the challenges faced by those seeking to understand or discuss this sensitive chapter of Chinese history.
US and German scientists win Nobel medicine prize for work on light and brain
The Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to US and German scientists for their research on how light affects biological processes, particularly focusing on the brain. Their work has significantly advanced understanding of circadian rhythms and photoreception, which has implications for treating various medical conditions. The research involves identifying specialized cells in the eye that detect light and relay signals to parts of the brain responsible for regulating sleep-wake cycles. This discovery has opened new avenues for addressing disorders related to disrupted biological clocks, such as jet lag and shift work disorder. The award highlights the importance of interdisciplinary scientific collaboration between researchers from different countries.
A controversial new power grab in Pakistan
The article discusses a recent development in Pakistan involving a significant shift in power dynamics. While specific details are not provided in the excerpt, the term 'power grab' suggests a move that has sparked controversy, potentially involving changes in governance, authority redistribution, or challenges to existing leadership structures. Such shifts often occur during political transitions, crises, or reforms and can lead to increased tensions within the country. The implications of this change could affect Pakistan's domestic stability, international relations, and ongoing policy directions.
Bartleby newsletter: How to fire a chicken into a jet engine
The article titled 'How to Fire a Chicken into a Jet Engine' from The Economist's Bartleby newsletter appears to be a humorous or satirical piece. It likely uses the metaphor of firing a chicken into a jet engine to illustrate a complex technical or scientific concept, possibly related to engineering, physics, or aviation. The piece does not provide detailed technical instructions but rather serves as an engaging analogy. No specific real-world application or serious technical discussion is presented, suggesting the content is more lighthearted than informative.
Record labels are in a spin over AI music
The Economist reports that record labels are expressing concern and confusion regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on the music industry. As AI technology advances, it is increasingly capable of generating music that mimics human-created works, raising questions about intellectual property rights, artist compensation, and the future of creative industries. Labels are struggling to adapt to this new landscape, where AI-generated content could potentially disrupt traditional revenue models and challenge existing legal frameworks. The article highlights the growing debate around whether AI should be regulated more strictly or if it represents a natural evolution in artistic creation.
Checks and Balance newsletter: The new politics of Christianity
The article explores the evolving role of Christianity in contemporary politics, examining how religious beliefs and values are influencing political discourse and policy-making. It highlights the increasing visibility of Christian groups in political movements and their impact on issues such as social welfare, education, and moral legislation. The piece discusses both the challenges and opportunities presented by this intersection of religion and politics, emphasizing the diversity of perspectives within Christian communities. It also considers the implications for governance and societal cohesion in regions where Christian influence is growing.