University of Kwazulu-Natal

Our Approach To Media Bias Ground News

Bonisiwe Shabane
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our approach to media bias ground news

Accusations, polarization, and overt bias: it's everywhere. You can't turn on the news without witnessing a spectacle of diverse opinions. Most commonly, the reporter at-bat is calling the shots. The truth is, our society gives center stage to the person with the mic. News reporting isn't an arena of debate or thoughtful arguments. When you turn on the news, you are hearing one person's side of the story.

And that hardly contributes to a well-rounded perspective. To separate the bias from the facts then requires an understanding of the sum of all those biases which form the lens through which an author, an editor, a publication and its sponsors write... An informed news reader today needs to read the perspective of multiple media sources knowing that no single media source can consistently and reliably if ever, provide an unbiased view of the facts, especially... The bias can be not only domestically political in nature, such as the case of disagreement on issues between two political parties, but also geopolitical, where each nation or multinational alliance has its own... As far back as the Gold Rush, newspapers took sides and overtly endorsed or vehemently opposed political candidates. Even in the 1970s, most journalists were working-class people who didn't have a university education.

Once journalism was a credentialed career that required a college degree, graduates began to reflect the political leanings of their respective educational institutions. Several landmark events in the last few decades have dramatically impacted the news we read about today. This is because ideological shifts have occurred. These, in response to world events, have continued a trajectory of leftist or rightist leanings in various news platforms. For example: The Wall Street Journal reported, "the whole Vietnam effort may be doomed." In 1971, other newspapers carried narratives about the "unjust" war that was "sold" to Congress.

The 1960s and 1970s changed reporting and politics in huge ways. Political bias was rife, with scathing editorials and reporters who made no secret of their involvement with protests and social movements. With the dawn of television, new media created a monopolistic hold on public attention. This had a two-fold effect of catapulting reporters to movie star status and further polarizing average citizens. TV anchors started having fan following and their 'take' on news polarized the viewers even more as they fought for more eyeballs. Now, they not only had parties to align with but also platforms.

In the rapidly changing landscape of modern journalism, Ground News emerges as a pivotal platform dedicated to delivering comprehensive breaking news headlines from diverse corners of the globe. As information flows at unprecedented speeds, the need for reliable and multifaceted news sources has never been more critical. Ground News aims to revolutionize the way individuals consume information by offering a unique framework that highlights stories from various perspectives, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of current events. The significance of remaining informed in today’s fast-paced world cannot be overstated. With the deluge of information available, discerning genuine news from misinformation requires navigating a complex terrain. Ground News responds to this challenge by prioritizing transparency and accountability in journalism.

By compiling news articles from a broad spectrum of sources, Ground News allows users to see how different media outlets report on the same story, thereby fostering a more informed citizenry. Moreover, Ground News leverages technology to categorize and present news based on ideological leanings, helping users recognize media bias that may influence the portrayal of events. This innovative approach invites consumers to critically engage with the news, encouraging them to evaluate the content they consume. Ground News’s commitment to neutrality and balance empowers its audience to form their own informed opinions rather than rely solely on singular narratives that can propagate skewed perspectives. In an era where media bias can shape public perception, Ground News provides a breath of fresh air by striving to present an inclusive repertoire of information. By focusing on comprehensive coverage that transcends traditional boundaries, Ground News aspires to enhance the news consumption experience, promoting diversity in thought and fostering a more knowledgeable public.

In contemporary society, breaking news serves as a vital conduit for the flow of information, influencing public opinion, and shaping societal discourse. The emergence of digital platforms has accelerated the dissemination of urgent news updates, enabling the public to stay informed about critical events as they unfold. Given the fast-paced nature of today’s information consumption, breaking news holds the power to rapidly alter perceptions and fuel discussions in various domains, including politics, health, and social issues. Culpepper, Sophie. "Ground News promises to cut through media bias and deliver the facts. Does it?." Nieman Journalism Lab.

Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, 8 Sep. 2025. Web. 5 Dec. 2025. Culpepper, S.

(2025, Sep. 8). Ground News promises to cut through media bias and deliver the facts. Does it?. Nieman Journalism Lab. Retrieved December 5, 2025, from https://www.niemanlab.org/reading/ground-news-promises-to-cut-through-media-bias-and-deliver-the-facts-does-it/

Culpepper, Sophie. "Ground News promises to cut through media bias and deliver the facts. Does it?." Nieman Journalism Lab. Last modified September 8, 2025. Accessed December 5, 2025. https://www.niemanlab.org/reading/ground-news-promises-to-cut-through-media-bias-and-deliver-the-facts-does-it/.

{{cite web | url = https://www.niemanlab.org/reading/ground-news-promises-to-cut-through-media-bias-and-deliver-the-facts-does-it/ | title = Ground News promises to cut through media bias and deliver the facts. Does it? | last = Culpepper | first = Sophie | work = [[Nieman Journalism Lab]] | date = 8 September 2025 | accessdate = 5 December 2025 | ref = {{harvid|Culpepper|2025}} }} To promote and elevate the standards of journalism Ground News doesn’t position itself as a fact-checking website, but it is not a distinction an average user might easily make. The site helps readers escape algorithm-driven news consumption by aggregating articles from over 50,000 sources worldwide.

It allows users to compare coverage to get a broader perspective on current events through media bias analysis. Unlike traditional fact-checking sites, Ground News doesn’t verify individual claims but provides bias assessments based on a publication’s overall political leanings. The site is visually appealing and easy to navigate. The immediate main sorting of users into two political categories might be jarring and seemingly counter-productive to the Ground News mission statement, but it is eye-catching. The platform evaluates sources based on social presence and ownership transparency, as well as how long they’ve been around. It also checks how frequently they align with reputable outlets.

Ground News doesn’t claim to be the final judge of truth. Instead, it highlights patterns in reporting to show how different outlets frame the news. Users can access its features through a browser extension and newsletters. Ground News explains its methodology well. It determines media bias by averaging ratings from three independent organizations: All Sides, Ad Fontes Media, and Media Bias Fact Check. These groups assess bias through editorial reviews and independent research.

The analysis follows the U.S. political spectrum and evaluates entire publications rather than individual articles. If a source lacks ratings from one or more organizations, Ground News averages the available scores. Bias ratings appear with summaries of political leanings, but Ground News doesn’t offer a neutral stance. If a story is only covered by sources on one side of the spectrum, comparisons become difficult (more on this later). Since bias ratings apply to whole publications rather than individual stories, some users find this method limiting.

While Ground News provides a breakdown of bias distribution across outlets, it does not independently verify facts or issue corrections. An interesting effort Ground News offers is Blindspot, which strives to shine a light on stories that “circulate in online echo chambers”: news with “political undertones” and disproportionate coverage on one side of the... This aligns with the site’s mission of breaching algorithmic info bubbles. The Ground News rating system adds context and transparency to every news story. Readers from all walks of life can conveniently identify media bias, check source credibility, and view ownership data for news outlets around the world. The bias and factuality ratings are determined using three independent news monitoring organizations: All Sides, Ad Fontes Media, and Media Bias Fact Check.

The ownership categories were researched and developed by Ground News.Learn more about our methodology here View bias and factuality ratings at a glance, so you can focus on getting a balanced perspective on today’s major news events. Scan this QR code to download the Ground News mobile app.

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