January 27, 2024

“The Border Deal Is a Bad Deal Regardless of Trump’s Opposition”

Why Troubling News:

The article is full of obvious biases surrounding the conservative aim to stop immigration from Mexico on the Southern Border of the U.S.. There is almost no evidence supporting any of their claims, which all seem to be very against Biden or anything opposing the actions of the state of Texas. There are random claims about the January 6th incident and the article seems like a way to paint liberals as the enemy instead of just stating what is going on within Texas and the "scheme" that they claim the senate is up to.

January 26, 2024

New poll finds rampant mail-in voting fraud in the 2020 election

Why Troubling News:

Multiple sources have confirmed that there was no systemic voter fraud in the 2020 election. The number of instances is minimal, and the election was held fairly. The article discusses how there was a high level of fraudulent voting. These claims are unfounded. It sets a dangerous precedent to spread lies about an election being plagued with these issues. It promotes distrust and causes division amongst Americans. This type of misinformation can be dangerous to our democracy.

January 25, 2024

North Korea says it tested a cruise missile, flaunting new nuclear-capable weapon

Why Troubling News:

The title and article have heavy use of biased/charged wording to demonize North Korea. It primarily relies on North Korean state media (KCNA) and lacks independent verification or South Korean perspectives on the missile test's details and intentions. KCNA is known for its propaganda and exaggeration, making claims about the missile's capabilities and threat level suspect. South Korean officials offer a different view, suggesting the test aimed at improving existing systems rather than showcasing a new weapon.The report mentions tensions between the US and South Korea but doesn't adequately analyze how this test fits into the larger geopolitical picture. The report lacks expert opinions or analysis beyond brief quotes, making it difficult to assess the test's true significance and implications. Therefore, while the report details North Korea's claims and actions, it lacks the necessary objectivity and depth to be considered a fully credible source of information. Readers should be cautious and seek out additional perspectives before concluding.

January 25, 2024

“Visiting the Most Important Company in the World”

Why Troubling News:

First, I noticed the title and the fact that it is on an opinion piece. This claim written into the title is something that should be subjective to each country, and not used as an overgeneralization pertaining to "all companies throughout the world." It is misleading. Sure, it can be seen as witty, but I don't think it adds to the piece well. The lead isn't too bad at explaining the claim in short. However, it''s a no brainer that this company isn't -actually- the most important company in the world, because world events could change in a second, and one cannot base a claim on something malleable that could change tomorrow. I would have liked to see a different title on this one.

January 25, 2024

“Visiting the Most Important Company in the World”

Why Troubling News:

First, I noticed the title and the fact that it is on an opinion piece. This claim written into the title is something that should be subjective to each country, and not used as an overgeneralization pertaining to "all companies throughout the world." It is misleading. Sure, it can be seen as witty, but I don't think it adds to the piece well. The lead isn't too bad at explaining the claim in short. However, it''s a no brainer that this company isn't -actually- the most important company in the world, because world events could change in a second, and one cannot base a claim on something malleable that could change tomorrow. I would have liked to see a different title on this one.

January 24, 2024

Time Out reveals world’s best cities for 2024

Why Troubling News:

Such an article would, of course, be always subjective. "Factors including cities’ food scenes, architecture, and cultural happenings were taken into account." as the source mentions, is not enough to come up with the conclusion of the best cities. Similarly, 20,000 city dwellers is not a large enough sample for evaluation. Have they been in every single city in the world? Do they cover the preferences of all, or at least most of the population? Since everyone has different preferences, for such ratings (each of the item), there should be a reason for its position mentioned in the article, especially for the purpose, as the article mentions: "to provide “inspiration for travel” but also a “global snapshot of city living." Argumentation is missing. Why is Cape town, rated the second best although: “South Africa may be celebrating 30 years of democracy, but the inequality in cities like Cape Town is starker than ever,” as the author of the article emphasizes? Although seemingly an innocent article that only reveals ratings, it could lead to disappointment If seriously considered creditable.

January 22, 2024

The Law Alone Cannot Curb Donald Trump’s Lawlessness

Why Troubling News:

The diction in this piece is extremely one-sided, leaving no room for balanced reporting. The author uses the piece to defame former president Donald Trump without providing substantial details of the cases against him. This article is primarily an opinion piece disguised as being factual. There is also a lack of quotes and references to other reputable sources. The information provided would not be helpful if the reader had little knowledge of the trials beforehand.

January 19, 2024

Report: ‘Common’ for Chinese Police to Use Waterboarding, Extreme Torture in Routine Questioning

Why Troubling News:

Although the article uses number of citations from the politicians and victims of the crimes, it lacks further evidence. The language used in the article is way too strong so the author should try to be more neutral, with phrases and sentences such as 'Uyghurs who refused to swear fealty to dictator Xi Jinping and accept him as a “god.”' or 'Common’ for Chinese Police' are both very misleading as we don't know the whole story.

January 19, 2024

Trump looms over E. Jean Carroll defamation trial even in absence

Why Troubling News:

While the paragraph objectively details the events of E. Jean Carroll's defamation trial against Donald Trump, it subtly uses biased language favoring Carroll. Phrases like "looming presence," "admonished," and "continued to call fabrication" paint Trump in a negative light, while Carroll's side appears more neutral. Additionally, highlighting Trump's accusations against the judge and Carroll reinforces a negative image. For a more neutral approach, consider replacing language like "looming presence" with factual descriptions of his absence, replace "continued to call fabrication" with "reiterated his defense," and avoid highlighting only the most inflammatory parts of Trump's remarks. This would provide a more balanced perspective while still conveying the key information.