We prioritized factual, relevant and interesting stories.
We utilized well-regarded web site resource mediabiasfactcheck.com to help determine the editorial bias of a media outlet, while cross-referencing their research with Canadian-based public research, including from Angus Reid Institute (rated as having a right-centre bias) and the University of Toronto (viewed as having a left-centre bias).
Bias ratings are general and often judge specific subjects to be politically left or right. As an example, the environment is generally seen to be a left-wing issue. We outright reject that the environment is a left-versus-right issue (as Reform Party founder Preston Manning has often argued), even if many environmental advocates propose left-wing solutions to environmental issues (that distinction is extremely important). As such, environmental stories or coverage in Canada doesn’t necessarily indicate a political bias, even if having more environmental coverage is often a reason an outlet is rated as having a left-centre bias. We have attempted to go beyond generalities and judge stories – and outlets – based on whether they are issue-focused or solution-focused, providing a more bespoke bias rating.
That being said, media outlets with a left bias often cover nature stories more frequently. We hope this changes, but we can only showcase the stories that have been published. We do attempt to counter this with opinions or web site resources from advocates who have a different take, though we acknowledge advocates aren’t journalists and agree that even left-or-right leaning media stories are generally grounded in fact and research, whereas advocates tend to ‘spin’ their version of the news.
There is an important distinction between reported news and opinion editorials (we cover this in our podcast with Clive Jackson). Even if a media outlet has a conservative bias (Post Media/National Post) or a liberal bias (Toronto Star and CBC), that shouldn’t be reflected in factual, reported news, but rather in the editorial positions they take and in opinion articles they publish. Even then, just because a media outlet leans one way or the other, doesn’t mean every opinion they publish reflects their political leaning. Conservatives contribute to left-leaning media and liberals contribute to right-leaning media. Again, digging deeper on specific stories matter.
As such, we have rated most reported news as having no bias, specifically if the story is focused on an event or a research finding. We do acknowledge that both-sides-focused, middle-of-the-road journalism can be a form of bias itself, even if the intent is to be unbiased (we cover this in our podcast with Dawna Friesen). If we have profiled a reported news story that showcases multiple perspectives on an issue and public research disagrees that the two (or more) sides have equal standing in the debate, we usually have placed a centre-bias label on the coverage, for better or worse.
We have also prioritized media stories that are free and not found behind a paywall. Though we strongly believe good journalism costs money and needs to be supported, we also recognize, especially when learning or doing research, it’s not possible to subscribe to every media outlet propelling good journalism. So, yes, you’ll see more articles from CBC (no paywall or subscription required) and, to a lesser extent, Post Media/National Post and The Hub (limited paywall or subscription required). That isn’t reflective of us favouriting one outlet over another, but rather an attempt to make sure you actually have access to some version of the story.
Finally, we recognize that media bias ratings are controversial and are not free from bias themselves. Take bias ratings – including ours! – with a grain of salt. Ratings are meant to be a guide, not a definitive statement of fact.