CNN's Brian Stelter claims White House is using bias tracker to 'delegitimize the media'

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House’s new “media bias tracker” has triggered a sharp backlash from major media figures, with CNN host Brian Stelter emerging as the most vocal critic. 

The tool, launched by the Donald Trump administration to document what it calls false and misleading reporting, has sparked intense debate over whether the initiative promotes transparency or represents an attempt to undercut the press.

CNN’s Brian Stelter says White House is trying to 'tarnish and demean various news outlets'

Stelter led the media response with a forceful denunciation of the project, arguing that the administration’s stated goal of exposing inaccuracies is merely a cover for something far more damaging.

“To delegitimize the media, I would say it’s to delegitimize the media, Jessica. This media bias monitor is being produced at taxpayer expense. It’s a featured part of the White House website, and it’s about trying to tarnish and demean various news outlets, as well as media outlets that have nothing to do with the news business,” Stelter said.

He pointed to the inclusion of Whoopi Goldberg on the tracker, despite her role as an entertainer, not a journalist, as proof that the initiative targets “perceived liberals” rather than strictly focusing on accuracy. Stelter said the White House is using the platform to “attack the messenger,” not correct misinformation.

He also argued that the administration’s repeated insults aimed at individual reporters often have the opposite of their intended effect.

“The other day, the president called a New York Times reporter ‘ugly.’ It made more people want to read the story,” he remarked, noting similar incidents involving CBS and other outlets. Stelter claimed such attacks can “draw more attention, more curiosity, about what the stories are about,” encouraging Americans to judge the reporting for themselves.

White House bias tracker ranks media outlets and highlights disputed narratives

The "media bias tracker," unveiled on Friday, November 28, compiles what the White House describes as “false and misleading stories flagged by the White House.” It includes an “Offender Hall of Shame” ranking outlets it says have repeatedly disseminated inaccurate narratives, led by The Washington Post, MSNBC, CBS News, CNN, The New York Times, Politico, and The Wall Street Journal.

The site also features detailed breakdowns of media reports the administration disputes, and includes a video highlighting comments from Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Mark Kelly, that officials describe as “seditious.” Kelly now faces an investigation by the Department of War for potential violations under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including 18 U.S.C. § 2387.

Brian Stelter warns bias tracker could fuel hostility toward the press

Stelter said the White House is attempting to erode trust in journalism by positioning mainstream outlets as habitual offenders.

“I think when the president insults reporters, or when the White House goes and claims media outlets are biased, it might draw more attention, more curiosity, about what the stories are about,” he said. While he acknowledged that “criticism can be a good thing,” Stelter argued the tracker is different in scale and intent.

“When I look at this particular media bias monitor, it seems mostly to be a way to delegitimize the press,” he said, warning it could deepen public distrust and escalate hostility toward journalists.

The White House has not said whether the tracker will expand further, but officials framed it as the start of an ongoing effort to confront “institutional media misinformation.”