Why Follow CNS News Updates?

CNS News (CNSNews.com) was a conservative news outlet that ceased operations in April 2023. The site, founded in 1998 by L. Brent Bozell III and operated by the Media Research Center, provided conservative-focused news coverage for 25 years before shutting down.

Understanding CNS News and Its Role

CNS News positioned itself as a counterbalance to what it perceived as liberal media bias. The outlet’s stated mission was to cover stories “ignored or under-reported as a result of media bias by omission.” During its quarter-century run, CNS News built a readership among conservatives seeking news coverage aligned with their political perspectives.

The site was part of a broader ecosystem of conservative media that emerged in response to what many right-leaning Americans viewed as left-leaning mainstream coverage. This media landscape includes outlets like Fox News, The Daily Wire, Newsmax, and numerous others that have filled various niches in conservative news consumption.

Why People Followed Conservative News Sources

Conservative news outlets like CNS News attracted audiences for several distinct reasons. Research from Pew Research Center shows that Republicans and conservatives often express lower trust in mainstream national news organizations compared to Democrats. This trust gap has driven many to seek alternative news sources.

The appeal of ideologically aligned news extends beyond simple preference. Media Bias/Fact Check rated CNS News as having “extreme right-wing bias,” while Ad Fontes Media classified it as “Strong Right” with “Generally Reliable/Analysis OR Other Issues” for reliability. For readers who felt mainstream outlets weren’t addressing their concerns or covering stories from their perspective, CNS News offered an alternative viewpoint.

Political news consumption patterns reveal significant partisan divides. According to 2024 Pew data, 69% of Republicans cite Fox News as at least a minor source of political news, compared to just 32% of Democrats. This demonstrates how Americans increasingly consume news through partisan lenses, seeking sources that align with their existing beliefs and values.

The Importance of Diverse News Consumption

While seeking ideologically comfortable news sources is natural, consuming news from diverse political perspectives offers several benefits. Research published in Frontiers in Communication challenges the prevalent “echo chamber” narrative, revealing that media exposure patterns are more nuanced than commonly assumed.

The study found that “the interpersonal character of media interactions, rather than the mere distinction between offline and online platforms, significantly influences the diversity of political views to which individuals are exposed.” Digital platforms can facilitate both homogeneous and heterogeneous political exposures depending on how people use them.

A 2024 YouGov survey examining trust in media sources found that outlets perceived as moderate—including CBS, NBC, ABC, and BBC—tend to have higher trust ratings overall. The Weather Channel topped trust rankings with a net score of +43, followed by BBC (+25) and PBS (+22). This suggests that Americans, regardless of political affiliation, value sources perceived as less partisan.

Consuming news from multiple perspectives helps readers develop a more complete understanding of complex issues. When people only engage with ideologically similar sources, they miss important context, alternative interpretations, and legitimate concerns from those with different viewpoints.

Current Conservative News Alternatives

For readers who previously followed CNS News, numerous conservative news sources continue operating in 2025. Fox News remains the dominant player, attracting over 78.6 million unique visitors monthly as of September 2023 data. The network maintains its position as the most-watched cable news channel and the primary news source for many Republicans.

Other significant conservative outlets include The Daily Wire, which has grown substantially through its mix of news coverage and commentary. The site has built a large social media following with 3.9 million Facebook followers and operates as both a news publisher and entertainment company. The Daily Caller provides breaking news and investigative reporting, attracting 6.8 million Facebook followers.

Newsmax has positioned itself as an alternative to Fox News, particularly among viewers seeking more consistently pro-Trump coverage. The outlet provides both a cable news channel and digital content. Similarly, One America News Network (OAN) caters to far-right audiences, though it has faced controversies regarding accuracy.

The Federalist consistently ranks as one of the most popular conservative opinion and news sites, offering long-form analysis alongside breaking news coverage. National Review, founded by William F. Buckley Jr. in 1955, maintains its position as an influential voice in conservative intellectual thought, though its “news” content is rated “Lean Right” while its opinion section is rated “Right” by AllSides.

Conservative talk radio continues reaching millions through hosts like Sean Hannity and Mark Levin. According to Pew Research, 27% of Americans cite conservative talk radio as at least a minor source of election news, identical to the share who cite NPR.

Evaluating News Source Credibility

Regardless of political leaning, readers should evaluate news sources using consistent criteria. Media literacy organizations like AllSides and Media Bias/Fact Check provide ratings that help readers understand both the political orientation and reliability of various outlets.

Key factors to consider include whether sources clearly identify their owners and funding, cite verifiable evidence for claims, distinguish between news reporting and opinion content, issue corrections when errors occur, and maintain transparency about their editorial processes.

CNS News faced criticism during its operation from fact-checking organizations. PolitiFact tracked claims made by the outlet and found instances of inaccurate reporting. Media Bias/Fact Check rated it as “Questionable based on extreme right-wing bias, promotion of propaganda, and numerous failed fact checks.”

These credibility issues highlight why readers should never rely on a single news source, regardless of its political orientation. Cross-referencing stories across multiple outlets with different perspectives helps identify factual core elements versus interpretive framing.

The Changing Media Landscape

The closure of CNS News reflects broader changes in digital media economics. Traditional advertising-supported news models have become increasingly challenging as digital advertising revenue concentrates among tech platforms. Even well-established outlets with loyal audiences face financial pressures.

At the same time, news consumption continues fragmenting across platforms. Pew Research data from 2025 shows that 86% of U.S. adults at least sometimes get news from digital devices, with 35% primarily getting news from television, 21% from news websites or apps, and 20% from social media.

Platform fragmentation creates challenges for news organizations trying to reach audiences. Facebook’s influence for news continues declining, particularly among younger users who have migrated to YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms. This fragmentation means that no single outlet can dominate news consumption the way broadcast networks once did.

Age significantly divides news consumption habits. Adults 65 and older predominantly rely on television (63% cite it as their primary news source), while only 10% of adults under 30 do the same. Younger Americans distribute their news consumption across social media, websites, and apps more evenly.

Finding Balance in Your News Diet

Media researchers increasingly recommend consuming news from sources across the political spectrum to develop a well-rounded understanding of current events. This doesn’t mean giving equal weight to all sources regardless of credibility, but rather exposing yourself to how different outlets frame and prioritize stories.

A practical approach involves identifying 3-5 primary news sources that span the political spectrum from left to center to right, regularly checking fact-checking sites like PolitiFact, Snopes, or FactCheck.org when encountering questionable claims, and distinguishing between news reporting and opinion content.

For readers specifically interested in conservative perspectives, diversifying within conservative media helps avoid echo chambers. Reading both Fox News and National Review, for instance, exposes you to different strands of conservative thought—populist versus intellectual conservatism. Adding a mainstream outlet like Reuters or the Associated Press provides less interpretive, more factual baseline reporting.

The key is approaching news consumption with intellectual humility, recognizing that no single source has a monopoly on truth. Even excellent journalists make mistakes, and all reporting involves some level of selection and framing. By consuming diverse sources and thinking critically about what you read, you develop a more accurate picture of reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CNS News still publishing content?

No, CNS News shut down its website in April 2023. The outlet, operated by the Media Research Center, ceased all publishing operations after 25 years of providing conservative news coverage.

What was CNS News known for covering?

CNS News focused on stories it believed mainstream media ignored due to liberal bias. The outlet covered political news with a conservative perspective, particularly stories involving government spending, social issues, and criticism of Democratic politicians and policies.

Which news sources are most trusted by conservatives?

According to Pew Research data, Fox News remains the most-used news source among Republicans, with 69% citing it as a source for political news. Other trusted conservative outlets include The Wall Street Journal, conservative talk radio, and newer digital outlets like The Daily Wire and Newsmax.

How can I avoid media bias when reading news?

Consume news from sources across the political spectrum, fact-check claims using non-partisan fact-checking organizations, distinguish between news reporting and opinion content, and focus on outlets with transparent corrections policies and clear sourcing standards.

While CNS News no longer publishes, the broader questions it raised about media bias and the value of diverse perspectives remain relevant. The most informed news consumers don’t limit themselves to sources that merely confirm existing beliefs. They challenge themselves by engaging with quality journalism across the political spectrum, always applying critical thinking to what they read regardless of the source. In an era of partisan media fragmentation, this balanced approach matters more than ever.