You’re scrolling through your morning feed, and there it is. Another headline from The Economic Times (ET). Maybe it’s about a sudden spike in the Nifty 50 or a glowing profile of a new unicorn founder. You read it. It sounds professional. It’s got that authoritative, pink-paper weight to it. But then you start wondering. Does this feel a bit... pro-corporate? Is there a subtle lean toward the ruling government’s fiscal policies? You aren’t the only one asking.
Economic Times media bias isn't just a conspiracy theory whispered in dark corners of Reddit or X; it’s a legitimate subject of study for media watchdogs and retail investors alike. When you’re dealing with the second-largest English-language business newspaper in the world—right behind the Wall Street Journal—the stakes are massive. If ET leans a certain way, markets move. Public opinion on labor laws shifts. Policy perception changes.
The "Pro-Business" Default: Feature or Bug?
Let’s be real. It’s called The Economic Times. Its primary audience is the C-suite, the stock market gambler, and the aspiring MBA student. Expecting it to be anti-capitalist would be like going to a steakhouse and being shocked they don't have a robust vegan menu.
The inherent bias here is "growth at all costs." This often translates into editorial support for deregulation, privatization of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and tax cuts. If the Finance Ministry announces a corporate tax slash, ET’s coverage usually leans toward the "investment-friendly move" narrative rather than the "widening wealth gap" angle. This isn't necessarily "fake news." It's a lens. It’s a specific way of looking at the world where the health of the Sensex is the primary heartbeat of the nation.
The Ad-Sales Wall
There’s an old saying in Indian media: "The Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd (BCCL) model changed everything." BCCL, the parent company of ET and The Times of India, pioneered the concept of treated news as a product. Critics, including former editors like A.S. Panneerselvan, have often pointed out that the lines between the "church and the state"—editorial and advertising—can get blurry.
You’ve probably seen those "Paid Features" or "Advertorials." Sometimes they are clearly marked. Other times? They’re tucked away in supplements that look remarkably like hard news. This creates a structural bias where the interests of major advertisers might, even subconsciously, soften the blow of investigative reporting. If a major conglomerate is a massive ad spender, are you going to see a scathing five-part exposé on their debt crisis on the front page? History suggests it’s unlikely.
The Political Pivot: Left, Right, or Just "Pro-Power"?
In the last decade, the conversation around Economic Times media bias has shifted toward its relationship with the center. Some media analysts at outlets like Newslaundry or The Wire have scrutinized how ET covers major policy shifts like Demonetization or the introduction of GST.
📖 Related: 53 Scott Ave Brooklyn NY: What It Actually Costs to Build a Creative Empire in East Williamsburg
During the 2016 demonetization phase, while international papers like The Economist were calling it a "shambles," much of the mainstream Indian business press, including ET, focused heavily on the "digital push" and "long-term gains." Was this bias? Or was it nationalistic optimism? It’s often a mix.
Actually, calling it "Right-wing" or "Left-wing" is too simple. It’s more "Pro-Establishment." The paper tends to favor stability. Markets hate chaos. Therefore, the paper tends to favor the status quo because the status quo is predictable for investors.
What the Data Says
A few years back, researchers looked at the sentiment of headlines across major Indian dailies. They found that ET, along with its peers, often mirrors the official government press releases during major summits or budget announcements.
- Tone: Predominantly optimistic.
- Language: High usage of "Growth," "Surge," "Resilience," and "Reform."
- Omission: Less frequent coverage of rural distress or labor strikes unless they directly impact supply chains.
It’s about what they don’t talk about. If a strike happens at a manufacturing plant in Manesar, ET will cover it from the perspective of production loss and stock price impact. You’ll rarely see the lead paragraph focus on the living conditions of the workers. That’s a choice. That’s bias.
The Myth of the Objective Journalist
No one is objective. Not me, not the person writing the ET Edit page, and definitely not the algorithm that brought you here. Every journalist at The Economic Times comes with a background, an education, and a set of beliefs.
Most ET journalists are elite-educated, urban-dwelling individuals. This creates a "bubble bias." They understand the nuances of a Repo Rate hike better than they understand the nuances of a failing monsoon in Marathwada. When the editorial board meets, they are solving for the "India" that lives in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. This isn't a conspiracy to lie; it’s a limitation of perspective.
👉 See also: The Big Buydown Bet: Why Homebuyers Are Gambling on Temporary Rates
Spotting the Slant: A Quick Checklist
How do you read ET without getting sucked into the bias? You have to look for the "Loaded Language."
- Check the Adjectives: Is a policy "bold" or "controversial"? Is a protest "an interruption" or "a movement"?
- Follow the Money: Who is the focus of the story? If it’s a story about a new tech law, does the article interview privacy advocates or just Big Tech CEOs?
- The "Last Paragraph" Trick: Often, the most critical information—the "but" or the "however"—is buried at the very end of a 1,000-word piece. Most people never get there.
- Source Diversity: Count the sources. If an article about the economy only quotes bank analysts and government officials, it’s a one-sided story.
Honestly, it’s about reading between the lines. ET is a tool. It’s great for data, great for corporate movements, and excellent for understanding what the powerful are thinking. But it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
The Digital Shift and the "Clickbait" Bias
In the 2020s, ET’s digital wing has had to fight for eyeballs against social media. This has introduced a new kind of bias: Sensationalism.
You've seen the headlines. "This stock grew 500%, should you buy?" or "The secret reason why X billionaire is selling his house." This isn't political bias; it’s "Attention Economy" bias. It prioritizes the urgent over the important. This can lead to a skewed perception of market reality for retail investors who might take these headlines as financial advice rather than speculative reporting.
Is ET Better or Worse Than Others?
Compared to Business Standard or The Hindu Business Line, ET is often seen as more "aggressive" and "market-forward." Business Standard is frequently cited by academics for having a slightly more "dry" and analytical approach, which some perceive as more neutral. The Hindu Business Line often carries more focus on agriculture and the "real economy" compared to ET's heavy focus on finance and tech.
But "better" is subjective. If you want to know which way the wind is blowing in the corridors of power in New Delhi, ET is probably your best bet. They have the best access. But access always comes at a price. The price is usually a softer editorial stance.
✨ Don't miss: Business Model Canvas Explained: Why Your Strategic Plan is Probably Too Long
Practical Steps for the Savvy Reader
You shouldn't stop reading The Economic Times. It’s too important. But you should change how you read it.
First, cross-reference. If ET says a new labor law is a "win for ease of doing business," go find a labor rights journal or a general news site like The Scroll to see the other side. You need both to see the full picture.
Second, track the authors. Some reporters at ET are known for their deep, investigative rigor. Others are clearly more aligned with the "PR-style" of reporting. Over time, you’ll start to recognize the names that you can trust for a more balanced view.
Third, look at the op-eds. The opinion pages are where the bias is most visible—and that’s actually helpful. It’s where the paper’s philosophy is laid bare. Reading the guest columns from various industry leaders gives you a direct line into the corporate psyche of India.
The goal isn't to find a "perfect" news source. It doesn't exist. The goal is to be a conscious consumer. Understand that Economic Times media bias is a product of its ownership, its audience, and its role as a cheerleader for the Indian growth story. Once you know that, you can use the information it provides without being misled by the framing.
Actionable Insights for Navigating Business News:
- Diversify your morning routine: Pair your ET reading with one international source (like Reuters or Bloomberg) and one alternative Indian source. This creates a "triangulation" of facts.
- Audit the "ET Prime" content: Often, the paywalled, long-form content in ET Prime is much more nuanced and critical than the free daily news snippets. If you’re serious about the "why" behind the news, the deeper dives are usually less prone to surface-level bias.
- Watch the "By-lines": Follow specific journalists on X (formerly Twitter) or LinkedIn. Their personal takes often provide the context that their editors might have trimmed out of the final print version.
- Use Tools: Use browser extensions or news aggregators that label the political leaning of various outlets if you’re unsure of the landscape.
- Check the "Corrections" Page: A paper that admits when it’s wrong is a paper with higher integrity. See how often ET publishes clarifications or corrections regarding their financial reporting.
Understanding media bias doesn't mean you have to be cynical. It just means you’re being smart. In the world of finance, being smart is the only thing that pays.