Today's News: Fact or Fiction

The best-known chart of left-right perspective vs. credibility is the Media Bias Chart below; another is the Media Ideology Map currently in development, which will present media perspectives on issues rather than a global rating. Read a guide to the MIM developer's methodology.

Select this screen capture of the Media Bias Chart to go to an interactive version.

View a list of news sources covered in the Media Bias Chart.
Created by Vanessa Otero of ad fontes media.

S-I-F-T your results!

1. Stop: 
   • Ask yourself: Do you know the website or source of the information? What is its reputation?
   • Remember your purpose.
2. Investigate the source:
   • What is the producer's expertise? Do they have an agenda?
3. Find better coverage:
   • Look for trusted reporting or analysis on the claim.
4. Trace claims, quotes, and media back to the original context.

The SIFT method was created by Mike Caulfield. All SIFT information on this page is adapted from his materials with a CC BY 4.0 license.

Determining if resources are credible is challenging. Use the SIFT method to help you analyze information, especially news or other online media.

Remember, you can always Ask a Librarian for help with evaluating information.

satire, n. Piece of writing, film, etc. which uses humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize prevailing immorality or foolishness, esp. as a form of social or political commentary. Generally, there's no intention to cause harm.
Definition adapted from the Oxford English Dictionary.