Speakers in General Conference have cited a wide range of news sources. This page offers a simple framework for thinking about media quality, both when exploring those citations and when choosing what news to read.
A Higher Standard
Accuracy is the first test of any source, but it need not be the only one. Article of Faith 13 speaks of seeking anything “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” Those four words suggest simple questions to ask of any source:
- Virtuous: Does it show integrity and bring clarity rather than confusion?
- Lovely: Does it elevate and inform, or does it exploit fear and division?
- Of good report: Is it credible and well regarded by those who value accuracy?
- Praiseworthy: Does it serve the common good?
Reliability and Bias: A Practical Framework
When evaluating any news source, it helps to consider two separate questions:
Reliability
Does the source report facts accurately? Does it cite evidence, correct errors, and distinguish between news and opinion? Reliable sources invest in verification and accountability.
Bias
Every source has some perspective, but does it present multiple viewpoints fairly? Does it use neutral language, or does it inflame emotions? Recognizing bias makes it easier to read critically.
These two dimensions are independent. A reliable source can lean left or right, and a source that claims to be neutral can still publish misleading information. The goal is to find sources that are both reliable and fair.
The Media Bias Chart
One tool for visualizing these dimensions is the Ad Fontes Media Bias Chart, which maps hundreds of news sources along both reliability (vertical axis) and political bias (horizontal axis).
Chart by Ad Fontes Media. Click to explore the interactive version.
Several of the outlets cited most often in General Conference, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, are established newsrooms with editorial standards. Readers can look up where any cited source falls on the interactive chart.
How to Read the Chart
- Vertical axis (Reliability): Sources at the top contain original, fact-based reporting. Sources lower down mix more opinion, analysis, or may contain misleading information.
- Horizontal axis (Bias): The center represents minimal political leaning. Left and right indicate progressive or conservative perspectives. The extremes show hyper-partisan content.
- The "green zone": Sources in the upper-middle area tend to be the most reliable and balanced.
Principles for Media Discernment
Beyond charts and ratings, a few principles apply to any source:
Consider the Source
Who published this? What is their track record? Do they have editorial standards and accountability?
Verify and Compare
Are claims supported by evidence you can check? How do other outlets cover the same story? What does each emphasize or omit?
Read Critically
Is this news or opinion? Does it use neutral language or emotionally charged words? Both reporting and commentary have value, but they serve different purposes.
"We need to be cautious as we seek truth and choose sources for that search. We should not consider secular sources of learning as more authoritative than the scriptures and the words of modern prophets."
President Dallin H. Oaks, "Truth and the Plan," General Conference, October 2018