Is the Cowboy State Daily Showing Political Bias? Evidence Suggests Yes

Independent research has revealed that the Cowboy State Daily, one of Wyoming’s largest news outlets, may be providing biased political coverage, favoring politicians who receive donations from its owner, Wayne Hughes.

Wayne Hughes, a California businessman, relocated to Wyoming in 2017 and quickly became a major player in state politics. Records from the Wyoming State Campaign Finance database show that Hughes contributed more than $595,000 to various political campaigns during the 2020 and 2022 election cycles. Then, in February 2022, Hughes acquired the Cowboy State Daily, a prominent Wyoming publication. Since then, concerns about potential political bias in the newspaper’s reporting have emerged among Wyoming residents.

An independent analysis conducted on 562 articles published by the Cowboy State Daily after Hughes assumed ownership reveals a significant disparity in how the publication covers Wyoming lawmakers and political candidates. The study found that:

• Lawmakers and candidates that Hughes supported with political donations received on average 100% more positive coverage than those he did not support. 
• Lawmakers and candidates that Hughes did not support with political donations received on average 400% more negative coverage than those he did support.

Media outlets like the Cowboy State Daily are not required to report positive coverage as a political contribution, nor are they obliged to disclose that their ownership has made financial donations to the figures they cover. This raises ethical questions about transparency in media, particularly when coverage can influence public perception.

Wyoming voters deserve transparent reporting from their media, especially when there may be a conflict of interest. A simple solution would be for the Cowboy State Daily to include disclaimers in articles that mention political figures who receive support from Wayne Hughes or his political action committee (PAC). This would give readers a clearer understanding of any potential bias in the coverage.

If you believe that Wyoming citizens deserve more transparency from one of their largest news outlets, consider sharing this information with others in your community. In an era where media influence can shape elections and policy, it’s crucial that voters are well-informed and aware of potential biases in the news they consume.