Rubric

The Society of Professional Journalists publishes a one-sheet Code of Ethics which states journalists should seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently and be accountable. The users of YellowGrade can participate in this accounting by considering each piece of news presented to them carefully, and asking themselves whether the news was presented in an accurate, clear, concise, and honest manner. In other words, asking 'Are the sources we read ethical?'

Users are asked to grade articles' journalistic integrity, on a scale of 1–100, much as a professor of journalism might grade a student of journalism. Some questions to ask may be:

• Is the headline clear? Is it misleading?
• Does the article fully discuss the story? Are any details left out?
• Are the sources first-hand and named? Are there anonymous sources?
• Is the article unbiased?
• Does the article seem to be written with motivation other than presenting new information?
• Are any particular corporate or political interests unfairly being served?

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