The mirror test

Check your bias

Everyone has a lens — the fix isn't pretending otherwise, it's reading the same story through more than one. Clad scores every broadcast's political lean separately from its accuracy, so you can deliberately read across the spectrum instead of inside your feed.

How to use this page

Pick a story below that appears in more than one lane, read a report from each side, and notice which framing felt "obviously right" before you checked a single source — that feeling is the bias worth knowing about. Lean is not a verdict on accuracy: a leaning report can be factually careful, and a centered one can get things wrong, which is why every report also carries its own accuracy grade and receipts. When you want a scored version of this exercise, the Morning Quiz runs every day.

Leaning left

Coverage whose framing, sourcing, or emphasis leaned left in the last two weeks.

Video: Raskin demands prejudice dismissal in dropped Reflecting Pool charges against Hearn

C- Grade

Political Lean 65% Left-leaning

Raskin demands prejudice dismissal in dropped Reflecting Pool charges against Hearn

Sep 5, 2026

The Oneindia News clip covers a press event outside a D.C. courthouse where Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and supporters, including local officials and former students, rally for three-time Olympian canoeist David "Davey" Hearn. They assert his innocence after charges of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool were dropped, criticize the Trump administration for a botched $14-16 million renovation that caused peeling sealant and algae, and demand the dismissal be "with prejudice" to prevent refiling. Speakers highlight Hearn's lifelong community service maintaining national park property and call the prosecution a politically motivated setup. The segment relies entirely on on-camera statements from Raskin and Hearn allies with no opposing views, government response, or independent footage of the pool issues.

Source: Oneindia News

Video: Trump threatens trade cutoff with deficit nations unless Fed cuts rates

C- Grade

Political Lean 75% Left-leaning

Trump threatens trade cutoff with deficit nations unless Fed cuts rates

Sep 4, 2026

The Young Turks segment discusses President Trump's Truth Social post reacting to the strong August jobs report by demanding the Federal Reserve lower interest rates or he will halt trade with countries where the US runs a trade deficit, including Canada, China, Mexico, the EU, and others. Hosts criticize the logic as irrational since foreign nations do not control US rates, argue it would harm the US most, and link it to broader patterns of Trump prioritizing the wealthy over average Americans amid high gas prices and an affordability crisis. They also note differing mortgage structures and economic conditions explain why countries like Canada have lower rates. Sourcing draws from Trump's post, US Census Bureau trade data, and implied Fed signals via Kevin Warsh. The discussion features hosts Ana Kasparian and Jake, with anecdotal observations from California and Texas; no external experts or administration voices appear. The throughline is that Trump's approach reflects ignorance or deliberate disregard for economic consequences that hurt working people.

Source: The Young Turks

Video: Canada sheds 42,000 jobs in August as US adds 162,000 amid escalating trade war

A- Grade

Political Lean 8% Left-leaning

Canada sheds 42,000 jobs in August as US adds 162,000 amid escalating trade war

Sep 4, 2026

The broadcast led with Canada's unexpected loss of 42,000 jobs in August, ending a three-month hot streak, contrasted against stronger-than-expected US gains of 162,000 jobs. It linked both economies to ongoing trade tensions, with the White House crediting tariffs and Trump threatening further measures against surplus countries like Canada. Segments covered persistent high US diesel prices amid the US-Iran war, a mistrial in the Lindsay Clancy postpartum psychosis murder case, rescues from Nepal flood-buried hydropower tunnels, a Vancouver police fraud charge, AI in hiring, and positive Canadian stories including a world Highland dancing champion. Reporting drew on Statistics Canada and BLS data, economist interviews, a government source on Ottawa's economic plan, business owners, and on-the-ground correspondents. Guests included analysts noting uncertainty from trade conflict; throughline emphasized economic headwinds from tariffs and geopolitical conflicts without major policy prescriptions.

Source: Global News

Video: Polanski seeks Green nomination in Starmer's former Holborn seat

B Grade

Political Lean 18% Left-leaning

Polanski seeks Green nomination in Starmer's former Holborn seat

Sep 3, 2026

The Channel 4 News segment covers Green Party leader Zack Polanski's announcement that he intends to stand in the upcoming by-election for Holborn and St Pancras, the seat vacated by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It discusses the constituency's demographics, Polanski's need for local selection and to overcome Labour's long hold, and voter interviews highlighting appeal of his four-day week and fresh perspective alongside skepticism on deliverability and concerns over antisemitism. Polling from the 2024 general election and May 2026 Camden locals is presented, along with analysis of party leaders' approval ratings and likely Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali. The Greens declined interviews to focus on door-knocking; Polanski's local manifesto emphasizes standing for residents over corporations.

Source: Channel 4 News

Video: Sky News links Feel Free kratom shots to addiction, death and Trump cabinet ties

B Grade

Political Lean 35% Left-leaning

Sky News links Feel Free kratom shots to addiction, death and Trump cabinet ties

Sep 3, 2026

The Sky News segment follows reporter Martha Kelner as she purchases kratom shots like Feel Free from U.S. gas stations and interviews users, retailers, and grieving families. It profiles Kylie Rustici, who died at 23 from what her autopsy listed as acute mitragynine intoxication after using kratom for pain, and Noah, who consumed up to 10 bottles daily and required intensive care for withdrawal. The report contrasts user claims of pain relief and energy with documented risks of addiction, liver damage, and death, while noting the product’s candy-like marketing. Sourcing mixes on-the-ground footage, named family members, a retail worker, and the reporter’s direct confrontation of RFK Jr. It references financial disclosures for Mullin’s stake in Botanic Tonics, court records on the 2023 seizure and later dismissal, and donation records to an RFK Jr.-aligned PAC. The throughline questions whether political donations and investments have slowed regulation of natural kratom products while synthetic 7-OH variants face bans.

Source: Sky News

Video: Sanchez tells parliament no proof Morocco orchestrated Ceuta migrant surge

C- Grade

Political Lean 25% Left-leaning

Sanchez tells parliament no proof Morocco orchestrated Ceuta migrant surge

Sep 3, 2026

The FRANCE 24 segment reported on Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's parliamentary address stating there is no solid evidence that Morocco orchestrated the late-July border surge into Ceuta, attributing it instead to criminal networks and social media disinformation possibly amplified by various actors. It covered the scale of the influx—over 70,000 people crossing, most returned quickly but around 5,000 remaining—along with widespread protests in Spain demanding better border defense. Correspondent Sarah Morris detailed conflicting ministerial testimony on prior intelligence warnings, a judge-ordered police report suggesting Moroccan police may have allowed passage and that plainclothes officers appeared to guide migrants, and the political pressure on Sanchez's left-wing government.

Source: FRANCE 24 English

Reading centered

Coverage with no discernible slant — the control group for your gut reactions.

Video: Jack Huston portrays philosophy professor confronting past sexual assault in Schrader's 'The Basics of Philosophy'

A Grade

Political Lean Centered

Jack Huston portrays philosophy professor confronting past sexual assault in Schrader's 'The Basics of Philosophy'

Sep 5, 2026

This 51-second Reuters clip from the Venice Film Festival features actor Jack Huston discussing his lead role in Paul Schrader's new drama 'The Basics of Philosophy.' He portrays a philosophy professor grappling with guilt over a past sexual assault on a minor, the son of his family's gardener, which resurfaces years later. Huston emphasizes the film presents an 'everyman' rather than a stereotypical villain and explores questions of monstrosity, accountability, and personal change without providing definitive answers. The clip draws directly from Huston's perspective as the star, with no additional guests, graphics, or anonymous sources. It aligns with the film's premiere coverage, highlighting moral complexity and audience interpretation as central throughlines.

Source: Reuters

Video: Yolanda Marodi sentenced to 36 years-to-life for stabbing death of Cal Fire Capt. Rebecca Marodi

B+ Grade

Political Lean Centered

Yolanda Marodi sentenced to 36 years-to-life for stabbing death of Cal Fire Capt. Rebecca Marodi

Sep 3, 2026

The NBC News segment reports on the sentencing of Yolanda Marodi to 36 years to life in prison for the February 2025 stabbing death of her wife, Cal Fire Capt. Rebecca "Becky" Marodi, in their Ramona home. It features victim impact statements from Rebecca's mother, Lorena, who described discovering her daughter's body and ongoing trauma, alongside a prosecutor's statement labeling Yolanda as a "pitiful, petty, self-loathing" coward with no remorse. The report notes Rebecca's 30-plus years with Cal Fire, her love of animals and helping others, the couple's deteriorating two-year marriage, Yolanda's guilty plea that avoided a trial, and the existence of ring camera video showing the attack and Rebecca pleading for her life. Sourcing relies on court proceedings, a preliminary hearing, an arrest warrant affidavit, and direct quotes from the sentencing hearing. No named defense perspective is included; the narrative follows the prosecution and victim's family throughline emphasizing the brutality and Yolanda's prior stabbing of her husband in 2000.

Source: NBC News

Video: Penn Holderness honors mother's brain donation to Duke-UNC Alzheimer's center

B+ Grade

Political Lean Centered

Penn Holderness honors mother's brain donation to Duke-UNC Alzheimer's center

Sep 3, 2026

The NewsNation segment features influencer Penn Holderness discussing his late mother's battle with Alzheimer's, her decades-old decision to donate her brain to the Duke-UNC Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, and the family's emotional celebration of her final act of service. Holderness describes his mother's lifelong charity work in Durham, the 10-year progression of her disease rendering her nonverbal for five years, and how brain donation advances research at one of the NIA-funded centers. He ties the story to broader hope, referencing Bill Gates' comments on data-driven breakthroughs, preventative neurology, genetic testing for the APOE4 variant, and a zero-cost AI tool that increased dementia detections by 31%.

Source: NewsNation

Video: Legal expert: Third jury impasse in Clancy trial would force mistrial

B+ Grade

Political Lean 5% Right-leaning

Legal expert: Third jury impasse in Clancy trial would force mistrial

Sep 3, 2026

The AP segment features a legal expert analyzing the latest developments in the high-profile Lindsay Clancy murder trial in Plymouth Superior Court. Clancy is charged with three counts of first-degree murder for strangling her three young children in 2023; her defense argues postpartum psychosis rendered her not criminally responsible. After more than 30 hours of deliberations over six days, the jury has reported deadlock twice. The judge issued a Tuey-Rodriguez "dynamite" instruction urging continued efforts at unanimity without surrendering honest beliefs. The expert discusses a recent jury note indicating one holdout juror is allegedly refusing to follow the judge's legal instructions (reportedly on reasonable doubt), defense attorney Kevin Reddington's visible frustration and motion to remove that juror (denied by the judge), and limits on judicial inquiry into deliberations. The expert notes that another impasse note would likely force a mistrial.

Source: Associated Press

Video: Shiyazh Pete discusses viral speech, Navajo Nation support after Cowboys release

A Grade

Political Lean Centered

Shiyazh Pete discusses viral speech, Navajo Nation support after Cowboys release

Sep 3, 2026

The PBS NewsHour segment profiles rookie offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete, the first Navajo player to sign an NFL contract. It features his viral locker room speech delivered after the Dallas Cowboys' Aug. 22 preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals, the massive turnout of Navajo Nation fans who traveled to cheer him, and his reflections on representing his community and inspiring youth. Pete discusses the moment the coach asked him to speak, the inspiration behind his words, and the unexpected scale of support. The piece notes his recent release by Dallas and his hope to continue his career elsewhere. Sourcing is direct from the extended interview with Pete himself, with clips of the speech and background context provided by host Amna Nawaz; no anonymous sources or external experts appear.

Source: PBS NewsHour

Video: Judge Re-Reads Reasonable Doubt Instruction to Deadlocked Clancy Jury

A Grade

Political Lean Centered

Judge Re-Reads Reasonable Doubt Instruction to Deadlocked Clancy Jury

Sep 3, 2026

The NBC News segment shows Plymouth Superior Court Judge William Sullivan re-instructing the jury in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial after more than five days of deliberations and multiple notes indicating deadlock. Sullivan reminds jurors of the presumption of innocence, the Commonwealth's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and the precise definition of that standard, including that it requires an "abiding conviction to a moral certainty" based on evidence and is more than a strong probability. He then sends them back to resume deliberations. The case centers on whether Clancy, who killed her three young children in Duxbury in 2023, lacked criminal responsibility due to severe postpartum mental illness. Sourcing consists of direct courtroom footage and audio of the judge's words. No guests or outside experts appear; the throughline is the ongoing impasse, with defense counsel reportedly seeking removal of one juror who allegedly refuses to follow the reasonable doubt instruction.

Source: NBC News

Leaning right

Coverage whose framing, sourcing, or emphasis leaned right in the last two weeks.

Video: Unions threaten to withhold Democratic support over data center opposition

B- Grade

Political Lean 68% Right-leaning

Unions threaten to withhold Democratic support over data center opposition

Sep 5, 2026

The Fox Business segment discusses building trades unions increasingly opposing Democratic-led efforts to restrict or moratorium new AI data centers, citing job losses for blue-collar workers. Hosts and guests celebrate this as a realignment where unions prioritize pro-growth policies over party loyalty, potentially shifting votes toward Republicans. They reference specific unions threatening to withhold political support, examples like Microsoft data centers boosting local economies, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's audit of projects, and pro-AI PACs spending millions in key races. Guest Don Layman from a union is highlighted as a positive spokesman for opportunities. The discussion contrasts temporary construction gains with critics' focus on tech workers and long-term middle-class erosion, while noting resident pushback in rural areas over home values and electricity.

Source: Fox Business

Video: US diesel hits record $5.85 as Iran war disrupts oil traffic

B+ Grade

Political Lean 15% Right-leaning

US diesel hits record $5.85 as Iran war disrupts oil traffic

Sep 4, 2026

The segment reports surging US fuel prices ahead of Labor Day, with regular gasoline averaging $4.14 per gallon (up 4 cents weekly and nearly $1 year-over-year) and diesel at a reported $5.23 (later data shows $5.85 record). It includes consumer and trucker interviews on cost pass-throughs, Canadian diesel at $2.36 per liter, and Kevin Hassett attributing high energy costs to the ongoing US-Iran and Russia-Ukraine wars disrupting shipping while highlighting declining overall CPI inflation and anticipated relief from a US-Venezuela oil production agreement. The report ends with uncertainty over when prices will fall, quoting Hassett on needing Iran to stop targeting ships.

Source: Global News

Video: Middlesbrough schools close early ahead of A66 crash funeral amid disorder fears

C+ Grade

Political Lean 68% Right-leaning

Middlesbrough schools close early ahead of A66 crash funeral amid disorder fears

Sep 4, 2026

The GB News segment interviews Conservative MP Matt Vickers about Middlesbrough schools closing early on September 4, 2026, ahead of the funeral for Jakub Matusiak, one of five young men killed in the August 22 A66 wrong-way crash that also killed PCs Matthew Blades and Tom Clough. Vickers links the closures and prior disorder (off-road bikes, car fires at a vigil) to organized crime, gang warfare, and inadequate policing in an area with the UK's highest crime rate. He criticizes the Labour government's national insurance increase, 'farcical' funding settlement causing a £2.4m shortfall per the Labour PCC, and prison overcrowding leading to releases of dangerous offenders. The discussion extends to broader Conservative plans for 10,000 more officers, expanded stop-and-search, prison building, and deporting foreign national offenders. A separate ad segment promotes Tally Money before returning to societal deprivation versus policing needs. Sourcing relies on Vickers' statements, anonymous fearful residents contacting GB News, the Labour PCC's comments on funding, and Sir Mark Rowley's recent remarks on courts not remanding knife/firearm suspects due to overcrowding. No government minister or local Labour MP appears; graphics are not referenced.

Source: GBNews

Video: Reform UK officials Orr and Jukes step down ahead of party conference

B Grade

Political Lean 15% Right-leaning

Reform UK officials Orr and Jukes step down ahead of party conference

Sep 4, 2026

The Sky News segment opened with the Channel 4 undercover report alleging that Reform UK officials discussed ways to route foreign donations around UK electoral rules, including via a UK-based intermediary and undisclosed polling funded by an American source. It aired a clip of a senior Farage aide discussing a "five or six figure" payment tied to a lunch and referenced related comments on poll impact. The bulk of the interview was with Reform chairman Lee Anderson, who announced that James Orr and Dan Jukes had stepped down, that a full internal investigation had launched immediately, and that the men would not return. Anderson repeatedly stressed the party's swift action to avoid distracting from its Birmingham conference, highlighted upcoming shadow-cabinet speeches on the "first 100 days in government," and listed high-profile attendees including Suella Braverman. The segment also briefly raised a separate controversy over a Zia Yusuf tweet criticizing a Somali-born Labour candidate and asked about Argentina's stance on the Falklands.

Source: Sky News

Video: Former Army head urges 3% GDP on defence by 2029 as Burnham faces funding pressure

B Grade

Political Lean 35% Right-leaning

Former Army head urges 3% GDP on defence by 2029 as Burnham faces funding pressure

Sep 4, 2026

The TalkTV segment features former head of the British Army Lord Richard Dannatt discussing UK defence spending targets amid rising global threats. It opens with Kemi Badenoch's criticism of Andy Burnham for delaying increases, reviews the 2025 Strategic Defence Review's 62 recommendations and unfunded Defence Investment Plan calling for 3% of GDP by 2029 rising to 3.5% by 2035, and contrasts this with Cold War spending near 5%. The discussion covers post-Cold War 'peace dividend' cuts including a one-third army reduction, current malign security environment with wars in Ukraine and references to Iran and Indo-Pacific risks, Conservative plans to fund rises via targeted welfare savings, and a brief note on Argentine President Milei's claim that the Falklands are Argentina's. Sourcing relies on the guest's authority as ex-army head, references to official SDR and DIP documents, and recent statements by Badenoch, Cartlidge, and Milei; no named independent analysts or counter-perspectives from government ministers appear, with graphics absent.

Source: TalkTV

Video: Virginia Foxx Claims 119th Congress Most Productive Since 1979, Citing 899 House Measures, $82B Tax Relief

C- Grade

Political Lean 68% Right-leaning

Virginia Foxx Claims 119th Congress Most Productive Since 1979, Citing 899 House Measures, $82B Tax Relief

Sep 4, 2026

In a House floor speech, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) defended the GOP-led 119th Congress as the most aggressive, successful, and productive since the 80th Congress in 1949 (later adjusted to since 1979), citing 899 total measures passed by the House, $82 billion in tax relief with 97% of filers receiving cuts, and 23 regulations lifted. She argued these statistics, placed in historical context, demonstrate historic success despite Senate limitations and contrasted it favorably against the prior Biden administration. The segment is a brief excerpt from floor debate with no guests or additional analysis.

Source: Forbes Breaking News