When Reading or Listening to News Reports

1. Which stories are not covered?
2. Which stories are covered?
3. Where is the story is placed: front page or buried in the back?
4. How much space is devoted to the story.?
5. Who wrote the story?
6. What is the heading?
7. What is the theme of the story?
8. Is information contrary to the theme hidden around nine paragraphs in?
9. Given the nature of the story, are both sides fairly represented or is there only token mention of an opposing view?
10. Are the individuals expressing opposing views of roughly equal intellectual weight or reputation?
11. Which side is given the last word?
12. Do the facts match the heading?
13. Are charged words used?
14. Is one side subtly presented as more reasonable than the other?
15. Can you detect the bias of the reporter?
16. Are facts omitted?
17. Are statistics properly used?
18. Does the story appear to be written to curry favor with a particular public figure?
19. Is the story logical?
20. If photographs are used, do they favor one side?
21. Are there any obvious assumptions?