What is a reputable source?
You can determine if a source is reputable based on a few different qualities. These include: sourcing, use of evidence, presentation, and bias. A reputable source will generally use well sourced evidence which is put in context and is as free of bias as possible. This information will usually be presented in a fairly neutral way, with few flashy or clickbait headlines and little to no advertising.
A disreputable source will often exhibit opposite qualities. They will usually use evidence with poorly-researched, false, or no sources, and will often present evidence in a context that alters its meaning. These sources will also often have flashier or more clickbait presentations with a heavier focus on advertising and sensationalism. There will also usually be much heavier bias in disreputable sources, though it may be difficult to identify.
A disreputable source will often exhibit opposite qualities. They will usually use evidence with poorly-researched, false, or no sources, and will often present evidence in a context that alters its meaning. These sources will also often have flashier or more clickbait presentations with a heavier focus on advertising and sensationalism. There will also usually be much heavier bias in disreputable sources, though it may be difficult to identify.
Our List
Here, we've compiled what we think are some of the best and worst sources to get your news from. You can also compare these sources to try to identify biases and disreputable practices.
Reputable, but skews left:
The New York Times: Founded in 1851, The New York Times is world renowned for its coverage of some of the most significant events in modern history, including the sinking of the Titanic and the breakout of World War II. The Times is regarded as a national newspaper of record and has won 125 Pulitzer prizes, the most out of any paper. Despite this record, it does lean to the left, especially on certain social issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion. The cultural and opinion section also has a fairly strong left-leaning bias. This does not detract from the overall quality of Times reporting, which is noted for its thoroughness and credibility.
The Guardian: Based in the UK, this Manchester paper seeks "to secure the financial and editorial independence of the Guardian in perpetuity and to safeguard the journalistic freedom and liberal values of the Guardian free from commercial or political interference." This translates into the Guardian being a very fairly reporting news agency with a strong left-wing readership and bias.
The Washington Post: The Washington Post is Washington D.C.'s newspaper of record. It was founded in 1877 and is generally very reliable, especially for coverage of the federal government, which it is known to specialize in. The Post is notable for several majors stories it has broken, including the Watergate Scandal. The paper has a minor left leaning in some of its reporting, using loaded words to sway some audience opinion towards democratic political goals. It is also notable that the paper is owned by Jeff Bezos, the libertarian CEO of Amazon who, according to the paper's editor-in-chief is not involved in the reporting.
TIME Magazine: Time Magazine is a notable weekly magazine and news agency that has held a very long place in America media. Famous for its unique reporting style and distinctive red border, Time generally has a fairly strong left leaning bias in its reporting and opinions. Despite this, they have a very strong record of sourcing reliable information and reporting on events fairly, while suing some loaded language.
The New York Times: Founded in 1851, The New York Times is world renowned for its coverage of some of the most significant events in modern history, including the sinking of the Titanic and the breakout of World War II. The Times is regarded as a national newspaper of record and has won 125 Pulitzer prizes, the most out of any paper. Despite this record, it does lean to the left, especially on certain social issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion. The cultural and opinion section also has a fairly strong left-leaning bias. This does not detract from the overall quality of Times reporting, which is noted for its thoroughness and credibility.
The Guardian: Based in the UK, this Manchester paper seeks "to secure the financial and editorial independence of the Guardian in perpetuity and to safeguard the journalistic freedom and liberal values of the Guardian free from commercial or political interference." This translates into the Guardian being a very fairly reporting news agency with a strong left-wing readership and bias.
The Washington Post: The Washington Post is Washington D.C.'s newspaper of record. It was founded in 1877 and is generally very reliable, especially for coverage of the federal government, which it is known to specialize in. The Post is notable for several majors stories it has broken, including the Watergate Scandal. The paper has a minor left leaning in some of its reporting, using loaded words to sway some audience opinion towards democratic political goals. It is also notable that the paper is owned by Jeff Bezos, the libertarian CEO of Amazon who, according to the paper's editor-in-chief is not involved in the reporting.
TIME Magazine: Time Magazine is a notable weekly magazine and news agency that has held a very long place in America media. Famous for its unique reporting style and distinctive red border, Time generally has a fairly strong left leaning bias in its reporting and opinions. Despite this, they have a very strong record of sourcing reliable information and reporting on events fairly, while suing some loaded language.
Reputable, but skews right:
Washington Times: The Washington Times is a daily newspaper from Washington DC that was one of the first broadsheets in the United States to adopt color photography. The newspaper is fairly right leaning, often employing loaded words in reporting, and sometimes publishing incendiary racially motivated comments. Despite this, it is still a reliable source of news with fair reporting standards.
The American Conservative: The American Conservative is a very well written source with a libertarian perspective. Most of their information is sourced to credible media outlets,
The Washington Examiner: The Washington Examiner is an American political journalism website and weekly magazine based in Washington, D.C. that covers politics and policy in the United States and internationally.
The Wall Street Journal: The Wall Street Journal is a high circulation daily financial newspaper from New York City. The WSJ is Right-Center for a very specific reason. Their news reporting is excellent and usually very centrist with little bias, however their editorial page is moderately to significantly right. Therefore, we say Right-Center overall.
Daily Herald: In review, Daily Herald uses credible sources in their reporting, for example they often republish articles from the Associated Press under their News category: “2 former presidents break with tradition to denounce Trump.” The Daily Herald states their editorial position as :“The institutional philosophy of our editorial board is fiscally conservative, socially moderate or occasionally even progressive.”
Next, 3 sources that are the closest to centrist we have. These sources are unbiased and have high standards of reporting, and quality journalism: Reuters: Founded in 1851, Reuters is the world’s leading international multimedia news agency. It is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
C-Span: offers live access to congress and straightforward government news. Zero bias. They are about as neutral as it can get. They do have news programs that have some bias, but this varies by program.
NPR: It’s a non-profit source meaning they don’t benefit from sales which means they have more reason to report factual and reputable information
Finally, these sources aren't reliable, spread conspiracy theories and use "loaded words," fabricated stories and don't have a good reputation:
INFOWars: InfoWars was founded by Alex Jones, who is known to create fabricated stories and conspiracy theories such as the fact that the kids killed in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary weren’t even born, and that the shooting never happened. INFOWARS is known for conspiracy theories not backed up and not backed up with logic or corroborating sources.
Breitbart: Breitbart is also a conspiracy theory website with fabricated news sources which emphasize loaded, opinionated language and made-up stories.
FOX News: FOX doesn’t necessarily fit in the same category as extreme sources like INFOWARS and Breitbart, but it was voted the least reliable cable news source by Politifact.
SOURCES: Media Bias Fact Check, MarketWatch: https://marketwatch.com/story/how-biased-is-your-news-source-you-probably-wont-agree-with-this-chart-2018-02-28
Washington Times: The Washington Times is a daily newspaper from Washington DC that was one of the first broadsheets in the United States to adopt color photography. The newspaper is fairly right leaning, often employing loaded words in reporting, and sometimes publishing incendiary racially motivated comments. Despite this, it is still a reliable source of news with fair reporting standards.
The American Conservative: The American Conservative is a very well written source with a libertarian perspective. Most of their information is sourced to credible media outlets,
The Washington Examiner: The Washington Examiner is an American political journalism website and weekly magazine based in Washington, D.C. that covers politics and policy in the United States and internationally.
The Wall Street Journal: The Wall Street Journal is a high circulation daily financial newspaper from New York City. The WSJ is Right-Center for a very specific reason. Their news reporting is excellent and usually very centrist with little bias, however their editorial page is moderately to significantly right. Therefore, we say Right-Center overall.
Daily Herald: In review, Daily Herald uses credible sources in their reporting, for example they often republish articles from the Associated Press under their News category: “2 former presidents break with tradition to denounce Trump.” The Daily Herald states their editorial position as :“The institutional philosophy of our editorial board is fiscally conservative, socially moderate or occasionally even progressive.”
Next, 3 sources that are the closest to centrist we have. These sources are unbiased and have high standards of reporting, and quality journalism: Reuters: Founded in 1851, Reuters is the world’s leading international multimedia news agency. It is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
C-Span: offers live access to congress and straightforward government news. Zero bias. They are about as neutral as it can get. They do have news programs that have some bias, but this varies by program.
NPR: It’s a non-profit source meaning they don’t benefit from sales which means they have more reason to report factual and reputable information
Finally, these sources aren't reliable, spread conspiracy theories and use "loaded words," fabricated stories and don't have a good reputation:
INFOWars: InfoWars was founded by Alex Jones, who is known to create fabricated stories and conspiracy theories such as the fact that the kids killed in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary weren’t even born, and that the shooting never happened. INFOWARS is known for conspiracy theories not backed up and not backed up with logic or corroborating sources.
Breitbart: Breitbart is also a conspiracy theory website with fabricated news sources which emphasize loaded, opinionated language and made-up stories.
FOX News: FOX doesn’t necessarily fit in the same category as extreme sources like INFOWARS and Breitbart, but it was voted the least reliable cable news source by Politifact.
SOURCES: Media Bias Fact Check, MarketWatch: https://marketwatch.com/story/how-biased-is-your-news-source-you-probably-wont-agree-with-this-chart-2018-02-28