For 35 years, Sky News has established itself as a prominent player in global journalism, known for its commitment to reliable reporting and comprehensive coverage of international events. However, the network has faced scrutiny regarding its reliability and credibility as a news source. Critics have pointed out instances of reporting errors and inaccuracies in its coverage. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the blurred lines between news reporting and opinion, which can create confusion about the distinction between factual news and editorial content.
In September 2024, Sky News faced criticism for sensationalism when one of its reporters compared Israel’s actions in Gaza to Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. At Biasly, we strive to evaluate the reliability and accuracy of all media outlets. Let us investigate the reliability and accuracy of Sky News.
Does Reliability Matter?
Reliability, in general, refers to how trustworthy or accurate information, or in this case, a news source is. If we consider this definition, it quickly becomes clear why reliability is important in media sources. If we can’t trust the things we read then there isn’t much of a point in continuing to consume content from that source, after all. So how exactly can we gauge the reliability of a news source anyways?
There are several potential measures of reliability to look out for when trying to determine whether a media source is reliable or not. Red flags for an unreliable article can include the presence of wild unsubstantiated claims, facts dependent on other unreliable sources, heavy use of opinionated language, and more. Some indicators of a reliable news source, on the other hand, include things like:
- Absence of subjective/opinionated language in articles
- Credible sources cited (e.g., neutral sources, .gov, .edu websites)
- Facts and statistics backed by multiple relevant outside sources
- Use of primary sources when possible (e.g., interviews, quotes)
- Information that remains consistent across news sources
How Does Sky News Fare in its Reliability?
The political reliability index developed by Biasly objectively assessed news organizations’ accuracy and trustworthiness. Sky News’s overall Reliability Score has been rated as ‘Fair’ by Biasly. This rating is a weighted average of two distinct scores: the Fact Analysis Score and the Source Analysis Score, each evaluating separate components of Sky News’s Reliability.
When computing the Average Reliability of the article, the Fact Analysis score is more heavily weighted. These ratings are as follows in the next two paragraphs:
Sky News’s Fact Analysis Score is ‘Good’, which suggests readers can trust most of Sky News’s content online. The Fact Analysis score focuses more on the accuracy of claims, facts, and sources presented in the article and any hints of selection and omission bias, which we will discuss further in the article.
Sky News’s Source Analysis Score is ‘Fair,’ which suggests readers can trust some of the sources, links, and quotes provided by the news source. This score, which is based on A.I., focuses on assessing the quality of sources and quotes used, including their number, lengths, uniqueness, and diversity.
However, since these scores are based on percentages and averages, individual articles could be more or less trustworthy depending on the context, author, and other factors. Our findings show that Sky News’s reliability is mostly but not all factual because it has retracted several stories in the past and published articles with unverified sources.
Let’s analyze the supporting data for Sky News’s rankings and discuss what to look for when searching for trustworthy news sources.
Sky News’s Accuracy and Reliability
Sky News is known for its centralized reporting, but it has a controversial history that includes reporting errors, sensationalism, and blending opinions with factual news. At Biasly, we will assess the credibility of Sky News’s news stories by evaluating the quality of the sources used, the accuracy of the reporting, and any potential bias in the articles.
Selection bias is when stories and facts are selected or deselected, often on ideological grounds, to create a narrative supporting the new sources’ ideology. Omission bias, on the other hand, is when different opinions and political views regarding a situation are left out so that the reader is only exposed to the ideological perspective supported by the author. It’s essential to keep in mind these two types of biases when trying to assess an article’s level of accuracy.
Biasly assigns a percentage score to accuracy, with one being the least accurate and 100 being the most. Ratings are calculated by weighing assertions with supporting evidence, the number of reliable internal sources, and the number of reliable external sources employed. A full page at Biasly’s website includes dependability and accuracy ratings for newly released Buzzfeed news stories. According to the reports that analytics have assessed, Sky News has a ‘Fair’ reliability score. This score can vary from article to article, though, and the most extreme variations in dependability are caused by bias, notably omission and selection bias.
We will examine more examples to investigate the reliability of articles from the Sky News. This analysis will focus on selection bias, omission bias, and the quality of the sources and facts presented.
Analysis of Reliability in Sky News Online Pieces
Source: Pew Research Center
According to Pew Research, 43% of British adults consider the news media very important to society. However, only around a third (32%) say they trust the news media, including 5% who trust the media a lot.
Sky News offers a variety of online articles covering a wide range of topics, including current events, politics, technology, and entertainment, keeping readers informed about the latest developments, locally and globally. Like other news outlets, Sky News features an Opinion section that presents various viewpoints, which may not always reflect the publication’s overall stance. This section allows columnists and guest contributors with specific ideological perspectives to share their opinions and engage in subjective analysis openly.
Eyewitness Articles are reports that provide first-hand accounts of events or situations by journalists who have directly witnessed them. These articles often include images or narratives captured during political events, natural disasters, or conflicts. The goal of these articles is to deliver a detailed and authentic representation of the events being reported.
Analysis articles offer an in-depth examination of current events, issues, and topics. They typically include expert opinions, data-driven insights, and various perspectives to help readers understand the reported events’ context, implications, and significance.
Each type of article impacts the reliability and readership of Sky News in different ways. While opinion pieces provide diverse viewpoints, they may lead to perceived bias if readers mistake them for factual reporting, potentially affecting trust among audiences seeking objective news. Eyewitness Articles enhance reliability by providing unfiltered information but heavily rely on the journalist’s perspective, which can introduce subjective interpretations. Analysis articles can increase the credibility of the reporting by incorporating expert insights and data, attracting readers who seek a comprehensive understanding. However, they require careful vetting to ensure accuracy and balanced representation.
Quality of Sources and Facts Used
Sky News has been accused of factual mistakes and inaccuracies in its reporting as it has a reputation for being the first outlet to report when an incident occurs. These inaccuracies can undermine the trust and credibility that audiences place in the outlet, leading to skepticism about the reliability of the information provided. When readers encounter errors or misleading information, they may question the overall integrity of the news organization, potentially causing a decline in viewership and engagement.
For example, “Kemi Badenoch claims maternity pay remarks were ‘misrepresented’” by Jennifer Scott. The article received a “Fair” rating for its Source Analysis Score and a “Good” Rating for its Multiple Source Rating, with 50% and 75%, respectively. Author Jennifer Scott included 18 quotes of varying lengths: six are short, three are medium, and nine are long. In terms of multiple unique sources, the article only references two: Sky News and WhatsApp.
Scott’s reliance on a limited number of sources may give the audience the impression that the article lacks depth and objectivity. Limited sourcing may suggest that the report does not offer a comprehensive view of the issue, potentially raising concerns about bias or incomplete reporting. Consequently, readers might be less inclined to trust the information presented, ultimately undermining the outlet’s credibility.
Another example is the Sky News Explainer article, “Who is JD Vance? The ‘never Trumper’ who is now Republican vice-president pick”. The article received a “Fair” rating for its Source Analysis Score and a “Good” Rating for its Multiple Source Rating, scoring 65% and 75%, respectively. The article’s author is unlisted and contains four quotes: one short, two medium, and one long. As for multiple unique sources, the article listed only three references:
- Sky News
- PodFollow
Compared to Scott’s article, the Explainer article includes another source, PodFollow, which slightly expands its coverage. However, despite this minor enhancement in source diversity, both articles rely heavily on a limited range of sources, which could impact their reliability.
Limited source diversity can lead to a homogenous perspective that fails to capture the complexity of an issue, as it may cause the omission of critical viewpoints or alternative narratives. This can result in an incomplete representation of events, potentially misleading readers who rely on diverse information to form well-rounded opinions. Furthermore, when news articles consistently draw from a restricted pool of sources, it can perpetuate existing biases, undermining the perceived objectivity and trustworthiness of the publication.
Selection and Omission Bias
Sky News is typically seen as a centrist publication that does not endorse any particular political ideology or seek to influence its audience with a specific agenda. However, its Opinion Section invites writers to share their viewpoints. On the other hand, biased articles present information in a manner that disproportionately favors one side or agenda. This can mislead readers and shape their views without offering a balanced perspective.
Let us examine an opinion article from Sky News from January 2020, “Trump’s reckless Middle East rampage makes mad Bush’s rush to war look thoughtful” which is rated as medium liberal. The article discusses the motivations and influences behind the targeted killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s response, and the potential consequences of escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The article draws on various sources, including the insights and experiences of Amed Khan, a former official from the Bill Clinton administration who has worked directly in the Middle East and with individuals displaced from the region since the Iraq war began in 2003. It also references a project from Brown University and the actions, statements, and beliefs of key advisors of President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Vice President Mike Pence, key advisors to President Donald Trump.
“Brown University project sets the financial cost to American taxpayers at over $6.4 trillion, to say nothing of the costs borne by our allies and the countries in which these wars have been waged.”
“I have tried to do my best in the years since to, in some small way, make up for the devastation we wrought – rebuilding homes destroyed by fighting in Iraq and running programmes for refugees still migrating to Greece 17 years after the war’s onset – but nothing can ever undo the consequences of America’s original decision to invade Iraq.”
“Both believe there is a battle between good and evil that will end with the “Rapture” – following an apocalyptic war in the Middle East, Jesus Christ will return to Israel, bestowing eternal redemption to Christians, who will be “raptured” or ascended, into heaven. Jews, however, will be punished.”
“We will continue to fight these battles,” Pompeo said at a rally in 2015, because there is a “never-ending struggle” until the Rapture.”
The author focuses on the negative consequences of the American military’s involvement in the Middle East as well as the potential influence of evangelical extremists, which may lead to a biased portrayal of the situation. The author’s emphasis on the costs, consequences, and motivation behind the targeted killing of Soleimani may not fully represent the complexity of the problem. Furthermore, the author’s choice of omitting perspectives that support the actions of the Trump administration or providing a different interpretation of the events may lead to a one-sided presentation of the issue, potentially influencing readers to adopt a particular viewpoint.
Let us examine another article from September 2020, “Kenosha residents say there is still more to be done after Trump and Biden visit” which is rated as moderately conservative. The article examines the effects of protests and violence in Kenosha, Wisconsin, particularly following the shooting of Jacob Blake, as well as the reactions of political leaders like Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
The article features insights from residents of Kenosha, Wisconsin, including Sahil Khindri and Sirena Cruz, who share their concerns about how the protests and the shooting of Jacob Blake have affected their lives. Additionally, Pastor Brit Bindel addresses the fear and division within the community, calling for restoration and healing.
“They can play all the politicians’ games they want to play, but they have to help the society.
“Well I’m definitely happy that Donald Trump did send the National Guard in because it did help, it did calm a lot of things and I don’t try to get into too many politics, but I definitely am thankful for the leaders that are doing something to help the city of Kenosha, especially during this time, you know, so if Joe Biden’s coming here to help, then Amen.”
“People want to feel protected, they want to feel in control. His leadership style, his speaking style I think definitely helps people connect to that. The Democratic Party really tries to tap into a lot of the relational side of things.
“And so this really just kind of highlights a lot of that, so on a positive front it brings everything to the surface for us as a community to hopefully positively deal with bringing about restoration, bringing about healing.”
The author’s selection and omission of certain voices and perspectives can significantly shape the narrative and influence readers’s perceptions. It is evident in their choice to include quotes from individuals who express gratitude for Donald Trump’s actions in Kenosha, giving readers the impression that most Kenosha residents support Trump’s approach. Simultaneously, they omitted perspectives from those who may have criticized Trump’s response or expressed support for Joe Biden’s approach, limiting the audience’s understanding of the diverse range of opinions and reactions within the community.
Both articles reveal how media outlets can subtly shape narratives based on their editorial leanings. With its centrist approach, Sky News aims to present a more balanced view by including diverse perspectives. In contrast, outlets with a clear political bias might skew the narrative to align with their audience’s beliefs. This selective reporting can deepen societal divisions by reinforcing prejudices and creating echo chambers where audiences only engage with viewpoints that mirror their own. Consequently, media consumers must be vigilant and seek information from multiple sources to develop a well-rounded understanding of complex issues.
So, Is Sky News Reliable?
Sky News is a platform that aims to provide balanced reporting, generally delivering news from a centrist perspective. This makes it a relatively reliable source for those seeking diverse viewpoints. To gain a comprehensive understanding of current events, it is essential for media consumers to critically evaluate the sources they rely on and remain open to various perspectives. This approach enables individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern media landscape and form well-informed opinions. To assist with this, you can use Biasly’s News Bias and Reliability Checker to assess the reliability and credibility of your news sources.