NewsOne (Opinion)
U.S. left / Black progressive
Background
NewsOne was launched in 2008 as part of Interactive One (later rebranded iOne Digital), the digital division created by Radio One, Inc. to extend its Black-focused media portfolio online. Radio One itself was founded in 1980 by Cathy Hughes, who purchased a Washington, D.C. AM radio station and built it into the nation's largest Black-owned radio network. The company rebranded as Urban One in 2017 to reflect its expansion beyond radio into cable television (TV One), digital media, and events. NewsOne operates alongside other iOne Digital brands including Bossip, MadameNoire, and HipHopWired, collectively reaching over 25 million monthly digital consumers. The site publishes a mix of original reporting and opinion commentary explicitly aimed at Black readers, with a stated mission to deepen understanding of current events and their impact on Black lives. Media Bias/Fact Check rates it Left-biased with Mostly Factual reporting, noting strong story selection favoring left-leaning perspectives and near-uniformly critical coverage of conservative administrations. Urban One's revenue has faced headwinds from declining radio and cable advertising, and the company has been diversifying into podcasting, branded content, and digital streaming.
Sources
- About Us - NewsOne
- NewsOne - Bias and Credibility - Media Bias/Fact Check
- iONE Digital Announces Brand Repositioning for 2023
- Urban One Celebrates 45th Anniversary Of Cathy Hughes Founding Media Empire
- Urban One, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
- iONE Digital Solidifies Itself As The Largest Digital Player In Black Culture And Media
- NewsOne — Grokipedia
Profile compiled 2026-08-25; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.