Facts or Flim-flam?
A recent study by Stanford University found an overwhelming majority of (middle school to college) students were not able to tell the difference between so-called fake news and real news. Here’s a short audio report about the same Stanford study.
Read the study 1-page synopsis or listen to the audio report (4 minutes) in the links above to begin.
IN THIS BONUS ASSIGNMENT, YOU WILL EXPLORE THE PROBLEMS WITH MISINFORMATION /DISINFORMATION /MANIPULATED NEWS AND GAIN CONFIDENCE EXPLORING THE MEDIA THAT YOU ENCOUNTER EVERY DAY BY ANALYZING THE CREDIBILITY OF A HEALTH/PHYSIOLOGY PIECE THAT YOU CHOOSE.
STEP 1: BECOME A MASTER MEDIA MANIPULATOR!
INOCULATE YOURSELF AGAINST THE TECHNIQUES OF MANIPULATIVE MEDIA BY CREATING IT YOURSELF AND TRYING TO GAIN FOLLOWERS, BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!
This online game, created by Dutch researchers (about 20 minutes) guides you through the techniques commonly used to gain followers through six different tactics. You gain a badge for each manipulative tactic you master.
Question 1HomeworkUnansweredDue Apr 28th, 11:59 PM
What was your final score on the game?
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WORD ANSWERWrite your response here…
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Question 2HomeworkUnansweredProvide some feedback with your experience of the game or your knowledge of manipulative media practices before and after the game.
Provide some feedback with your experience of the game or your knowledge of manipulative media practices before and after the game.” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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STEP 2: NOW YOU’RE THE FACT-CHECKER!
What I’d like you to do is find a health/physiology related media piece (long-form article – at least two pages, > 2 minute news segment or video – Tiktok, Instagram, youtube, podcast episode, etc.) and evaluate the credibility of the piece using the RADARS (Rationale, Accuracy, Date, Authority, Relevance, Sources) technique. RADARS is a technique for independently EVALUATING THE CREDIBILITY OF INFORMATION SOURCES.
PICK YOUR TARGET: YOUR PIECE CAN BE ANY HEALTH/PHYSIOLOGY MEDIA PIECE YOU’RE INTERESTED IN, **THAT YOU SUSPECT IS NOT CREDIBLE**.
YOU WILL NOT BE GRADED ON THE PIECE’S ACCURACY OR WHETHER I AGREE WITH YOUR CONCLUSION; YOU’LL BE GRADED ON YOUR OWN *CAREFUL ANALYSIS*!
Question 3: CHOOSE YOUR TARGETHomeworkUnanswered
- Provide a link or a copy of the media piece that I can review.
- Please also provide the source for the piece.
- Describe the health/physiology connection in the piece.
1. Provide a link or a copy of the media piece that I can review.
2. Please also provide the source for the piece.
3. Describe the health/physiology connection in the piece. ” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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Answer the questions provided in each section as RADARS guides you through evaluating your piece.
RATIONALE
RATIONALE FOR THE PIECE: WHY WAS IT PUBLISHED? WHO IS IT FOR? WHO PAYS FOR IT? IS IT TRYING TO EVOKE EMOTION?
Question 4:HomeworkUnansweredRATIONALE: Explore what is the intended purpose? (to inform, to argue, to persuade, to sell, educate, question, etc.)
RATIONALE: Explore what is the intended purpose? (to inform, to argue, to persuade, to sell, educate, question, etc.) ” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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Question 5:HomeworkUnansweredRATIONALE: Who is the intended audience for this piece (those with knowledge of a specific discipline, the general public, a specific target audience, other)?
RATIONALE: Who is the intended audience for this piece (those with knowledge of a specific discipline, the general public, a specific target audience, other)?” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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Question 6:HomeworkUnansweredRATIONALE: Is there advertising? Is there a sponsor? Who pays to make this information available? Please note if there is a link to purchase anything associated with the piece.
RATIONALE: Is there advertising? Is there a sponsor? Who pays to make this information available? Please note if there is a link to purchase anything associated with the piece.” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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Question 7:HomeworkUnansweredRATIONALE: Misinformation often seeks to exploit our most deeply held values and beliefs to generate outrage and anger.
Exaggerated or provocative headlines often generate more attention. Explore the following …
Does the author use emotionally provocative language?
- If so, cite the language you think is provocative.
- If not, does the headline seem to fit the piece’s tone and content well?
RATIONALE: Misinformation often seeks to exploit our most deeply held values and beliefs to generate outrage and anger.
*Exaggerated or provocative headlines* often generate more attention. Explore the following …
Does the author use *emotionally provocative language*?
– If so, cite the language you think is provocative.
– If not, does the headline seem to fit the piece’s tone and content well?” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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AUTHORITY
QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT THE AUTHORITY/CREDIBILITY OF THE SOURCE: IS IT A JOKE? WHO ARE THE AUTHORS? ARE THESE REPUTABLE AUTHORS ABOUT THIS TOPIC?
Question 8:HomeworkUnansweredAUTHORITY:
Is it a joke? MANY people have been fooled by an Onion article.
Before delving into credibility, check to see if the article is intended to be taken seriously.
Check the About page, if it exists.
– Is the piece intended as satire?
– Why do you think so or why not?
AUTHORITY:
Is it a joke? MANY people have been fooled by an Onion article.
Before delving into credibility, check to see if the article is intended to be taken seriously.
Check the About page, if it exists.
– Is the piece intended as satire?
– Why do you think so or why not?” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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Question 9:HomeworkUnansweredAUTHORITY:
Who is/are the author/s? Investigate …
- What are the author’s educational credentials or organizational affiliations? Look deeply to find what you can.
- Are their credentials relevant to the topic? For instance, a PhD in Astrophysics doesn’t make a person an expert in oncology.
- What makes the author qualified to write about the topic?
AUTHORITY:
Who is/are the author/s? Investigate …
– What are the author’s *educational credentials or organizational affiliations*? Look deeply to find what you can.
– Are their credentials *relevant to the topic*? For instance, a PhD in Astrophysics doesn’t make a person an expert in oncology.
– What makes the author *qualified to write about the topic*?” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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Question 10:HomeworkUnanswered**AUTHORITY: Investigate further …
Open a new window and do a search about the publication, website, and/or author.
Do your best to find information about the author(s) on the internet or cited in other books in this field?
Has the author written authoritatively about this topic before?
See what other experts say about the organization, publisher, or author.
**AUTHORITY: Investigate further …
Open a new window and do a search about the publication, website, and/or author.
Do your best to find information about the author(s) on the internet or cited in other books in this field?
Has the author written authoritatively about this topic before?
See what other experts say about the organization, publisher, or author.” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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Question 11:HomeworkUnansweredAUTHORITY:
Does the author explain their method for collecting the information presented?
If not, what do you need to know about how the information was obtained?
AUTHORITY:
Does the author explain their *method for collecting the information* presented?
If not, what do you need to know about how the information was obtained?” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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DATE:
QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT THE DATE OF THE SOURCE: IS IT CURRENT ENOUGH?
Question 12:HomeworkUnansweredDATE:
Since our scientific understanding accumulates with time, dates matter!
When was the piece published?
Is the topic from a field of study that changes rapidly?
Is the information obsolete?
Is there a more recent article on the topic that you can read?
DATE:
Since our scientific understanding accumulates with time, dates matter!
*When* was the piece published?
Is the topic from a field of study *that changes rapidly*?
Is the information obsolete?
Is there a *more recent article on the topic that you can read*?” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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ACCURACY
QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF THE SOURCE: ARE THE CLAIMS DEMONSTRABLY FALSE? HAS THE PIECE ALREADY BEEN DEBUNKED? FOR SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION, WHAT IS THE TYPE OF PUBLICATION?
Question 13:HomeworkUnansweredACCURACY:
Does the piece contain statements you know to be false from other credible sources?
ACCURACY:
Does the piece contain statements you *know to be false from other credible sources?*” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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Question 14:HomeworkUnansweredACCURACY:
VERIFY WITH FACT-CHECKING SITES.
Here are a few to investigate.:
FactCheck.org https://www.factcheck.org
Fact Checker (The Washington Post) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/
Snopes https://www.snopes.com
AllSides https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-news
Do any of these sites contradict the content in your piece?
ACCURACY:
VERIFY WITH FACT-CHECKING SITES.
Here are a few to investigate.:
FactCheck.org https://www.factcheck.org
Fact Checker (The Washington Post) https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/
Snopes https://www.snopes.com
AllSides https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-news
Do any of these sites contradict the content in your piece?” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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Question 15:HomeworkUnansweredACCURACY:
There is a hierarchy of credibility in media pieces, especially those that refer to scientific phenomena:
1. Peer reviewed (reviewed by anonymous experts in the field prior to publication e.g. academic journals)
2. Editorially reviewed (reviewed by an editor, may be fact-checked e.g. popular publications)
3. Minimally reviewed (reviewed for grammar, spelling)
4. Anecdote (not reviewed e.g. personal blog post, internet post)
Investigate …. Where do you think your piece falls in the credibility hierarchy, with the information you’ve been provided? Explain your answer.
ACCURACY:
There is a hierarchy of credibility in media pieces, especially those that refer to scientific phenomena:
1. Peer reviewed (reviewed by anonymous experts in the field prior to publication e.g. academic journals)
2. Editorially reviewed (reviewed by an editor, may be fact-checked e.g. popular publications)
3. Minimally reviewed (reviewed for grammar, spelling)
4. Anecdote (not reviewed e.g. personal blog post, internet post)
Investigate …. Where do you think your piece falls in the credibility hierarchy, with the information you’ve been provided? Explain your answer.” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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RELEVANCE
QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT THE RELEVANCE OF INFORMATION: ARE THE CLAIMS RELEVANT TO THE EVIDENCE? EVEN IF THE CLAIMS ARE RELEVANT, ARE THEY SCIENTIFIC?
Question 16:HomeworkUnansweredRELEVANCE:
Often the claims made are not supported by the evidence provided.
Does the evidence provided back up the author’s claims related to health or physiology?
RELEVANCE:
Often the claims made are not supported by the evidence provided.
Does the *evidence provided back up the author’s claims* related to health or physiology?” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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Question 17:HomeworkUnansweredRELEVANCE:
Be wary of articles stating ‘people say’, ‘sources report’, or ‘they say’ without identifying the sources.
None of these are sources for scientific information.
Is the information gossip, hearsay, or anecdote unsupported by sources or data?
RELEVANCE:
Be wary of articles stating ‘people say’, ‘sources report’, or ‘they say’ without identifying the sources.
None of these are sources for scientific information.
Is the information gossip, hearsay, or anecdote unsupported by sources or data? ” class=”notranslate public-DraftEditor-content” role=”textbox” spellcheck=”true” style=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;” rel=”box-sizing: inherit; overflow-y: scroll; min-height: 200px; max-height: 400px; padding: 12px; z-index: 0; outline: none; user-select: text; white-space-collapse: preserve; overflow-wrap: break-word;”>
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SOURCES
QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT YOUR PIECE’S PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES: LOOK FOR THE SOURCES
Question 18HomeworkUnansweredSOURCES:
Check the source of your piece through this site, which assesses media sources on an interactive graph, from more to less reliable and from left, balanced, to right political bias.
If you found the source of your piece, where does it fall on the graph? If it’s not there, do your best to guess where it might fall.
Most reliable (green)
Reliable (yellow)
Some reliability issues (orange)
Serious reliability issues (red)
Check out the Interactive Media Bias Chart, paying attention to the Y-axis for accuracy: https://adfontesmedia.com/interactive-media-bias-c…
You can also look for your source on The Factual, paying special attention to where the source falls on the Y-axis (Average of Factual Grade) and searching for it in the table (The Factual’s Media Ecosystem 2022) : https://www.thefactual.com/blog/biased-factual-rel…
SOURCES:
Check the source of your piece through this site, which assesses media sources on an interactive graph, from more to less reliable and from left, balanced, to right political bias.
If you found the source of your piece, where does it fall on the graph? If it’s not there, do your best to guess where it might fall.
Most reliable (green)
Reliable (yellow)
Some reliability issues (orange)
Serious reliability issues (red)
Check out the Interactive Media Bias Chart, pay
Requirements:
