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Grading Content & Exposing Bias

Outlet profile · Independent channel

The Sun

Clad has been grading The Sun segments since Jun 2026 — 10 reports so far, published as notable segments air. Its most-covered subjects on Clad: Ukraine & Russia, Crimea, African foreign fighters. Every report checks the segment's load-bearing claims against primary sources, then scores the coverage for factual accuracy, political lean, and how the public received it — so you can see how The Sun's reporting holds up story by story, not just take its word for it.

B+ Avg grade
Political Lean 12% Right-leaning

Latest reports

Video: Essex chief updates on Highlands Farm fire after fertilizer explosion
A- Grade
Political Lean 15% Right-leaning

Essex chief updates on Highlands Farm fire after fertilizer explosion

Jul 25, 2026

The Sun video presents Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Rick Hylton's press conference on the July 24, 2026 industrial unit fire at Highlands Farm near East Hanningfield. It covers the timeline, major incident declaration after a fertilizer explosion, resource deployment, damage to fire service vehicles, and firefighter welfare outcomes. The segment draws directly from the official briefing with no additional guests or graphics referenced beyond the speaker. It emphasizes the controlled status of the fire, ongoing investigation, and thanks to responders and the public.

Source: The Sun

Video: SpaceX aborts Starship Flight 13 booster startup at Starbase
B+ Grade
Political Lean 35% Right-leaning

SpaceX aborts Starship Flight 13 booster startup at Starbase

Jul 16, 2026

The broadcast is a live SpaceX-affiliated stream covering the July 16, 2026, Starship Flight 13 attempt from Starbase, Texas. Segments detail V3 vehicle specs, prior pad fixes, planned suborbital profile with 20 Starlink V3 satellites, Florida pad construction, and the just-announced Artemis 3 crew. The countdown reaches T-1 minute before a booster startup abort triggers a scrub; teams begin propellant offload.

Source: The Sun

Video: Germany agrees to buy Tomahawk missiles as part of post-Zeitenwende buildup
A- Grade
Political Lean 15% Right-leaning

Germany agrees to buy Tomahawk missiles as part of post-Zeitenwende buildup

Jul 14, 2026

The segment discusses Germany's decision to purchase and station US Tomahawk cruise missiles on its territory under Chancellor Friedrich Merz. It frames this as part of a broader post-2022 Zeitenwende shift in German defense policy, including increased spending and a new national defense strategy. It covers the shift from planned US deployments, public support mixed with protests especially in eastern Germany, concerns from neighbors like Poland, the 2029 readiness target against potential Russian aggression, Russian sensitivities rooted in WWII history, and the role of the AfD party which polls strongly.

Source: The Sun

Video: Ben Hodges assesses Ukraine's strikes on Russian energy and Crimea logistics
B+ Grade
Political Lean 25% Left-leaning

Ben Hodges assesses Ukraine's strikes on Russian energy and Crimea logistics

Jun 29, 2026

The segment features retired US Army Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges discussing recent Ukrainian long-range precision strikes on Russian oil and gas facilities, logistics routes to Crimea, and the resulting fuel shortages. Hodges argues that sustained Ukrainian scaling of these attacks will increasingly paralyze Russian operations by winter, isolating Crimea and forcing difficult Russian decisions. Hodges cites observable effects including gas queues in Crimea, refinery fires near Moscow, and Lukashenko's recent comments toward Zelensky; he draws on public military analysis and open-source indicators rather than named intelligence sources or on-camera guests.

Source: The Sun

Video: Trump comments on Iran drone attack, US strikes follow
B+ Grade
Political Lean 35% Right-leaning

Trump comments on Iran drone attack, US strikes follow

Jun 27, 2026

The segment features audio of President Trump describing an Iranian drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz on June 25. He states that four drones were launched, US forces downed three, and one struck the vessel causing damage. Trump indicates a response will follow. The clip includes background music and is presented under a headline claiming US strikes and Iranian condemnation. No additional narration or guests appear.

Source: The Sun

Video: Royal Accounts: King Stays at Clarence House; Tax and Grant Details Released
B+ Grade
Political Lean 15% Right-leaning

Royal Accounts: King Stays at Clarence House; Tax and Grant Details Released

Jun 26, 2026

The Sun YouTube segment features royal author Hugo Vickers discussing recent royal household accounts. Topics include the King's decision to remain at Clarence House after the Buckingham Palace refurbishment, tax disclosures, and the palace's future role as an administrative hub rather than residence. Vickers draws on historical precedent and personal knowledge; the interview references official figures for tax paid by the King and Prince William, the £369m refurb cost, and the rising Sovereign Grant. No graphics or other guests appear; the discussion runs through viewer-style questions on accountability, tradition, and public perception.

Source: The Sun

Video: Russian Recruitment of African Fighters Relies on Deceptive Job Ads and Coercion
B+ Grade
Political Lean 25% Right-leaning

Russian Recruitment of African Fighters Relies on Deceptive Job Ads and Coercion

Jun 21, 2026

The segment features an expert interview discussing Russian efforts to recruit foreign fighters, primarily from Africa, for the war in Ukraine without domestic mobilization. It covers estimates of African and total foreign recruits, high financial incentives compared to home-country salaries, signing bonuses, monthly pay, and promises of citizenship or residency. The discussion highlights use of fake civilian job ads, intermediaries, coercion on the front lines, racist treatment, and specific incidents including a January 2026 video of a Kenyan recruit named Francis. It references early cases from Zambia and Tanzania in 2022 involving Wagner, ongoing Kenyan parliamentary inquiries, diplomatic exchanges with Russia, recruiter arrests, and persistent advertisements. Sourcing draws on Ukrainian assessments, leaked databases, intelligence reports, and media coverage from affected countries; the tone stresses human costs and long-term diplomatic fallout.

Source: The Sun

Video: The Sun Live Stream on Bedford Train Collision
C+ Grade
Political Lean 25% Right-leaning

The Sun Live Stream on Bedford Train Collision

Jun 19, 2026

The live YouTube stream from The Sun covers a collision between two East Midlands Railway passenger trains near Bedford, UK, during rush hour on June 19, 2026. It reports a major incident with passengers described as bloodied and seriously injured. The broadcast relies on initial police statements, witness accounts, and aerial footage references. It emphasizes the chaos and injuries without providing detailed casualty figures or causes, consistent with breaking news format.

Source: The Sun

Video: Ukraine drone strikes hit Moscow refinery amid shadow fleet tensions
B+ Grade
Political Lean 15% Right-leaning

Ukraine drone strikes hit Moscow refinery amid shadow fleet tensions

Jun 18, 2026

The segment features commentary on recent Ukrainian drone and missile strikes reaching Moscow and St. Petersburg, including hits on oil infrastructure causing visible smoke. It discusses the psychological impact on Russian civilians, Ukrainian long-range missile capabilities, rising domestic fuel prices, and Western interdictions of Russia's shadow fleet tankers. The discussion also covers a recent incident involving a Russian frigate firing warning shots near a British yacht and potential retaliatory risks.

Source: The Sun

Video: Sweden's Gripen Deal to Ukraine Verified Amid Ongoing Crimea Strikes
B+ Grade
Political Lean 35% Left-leaning

Sweden's Gripen Deal to Ukraine Verified Amid Ongoing Crimea Strikes

Jun 14, 2026

The broadcast covers Sweden's May 2026 announcement donating 16 older Gripen C/D jets to Ukraine in 2027 while Ukraine buys 20 new E/F models, with Zelenskyy pursuing up to 150 total. It details Gripen operational advantages including austere basing and Meteor missile compatibility, then shifts to Ukrainian drone superiority, stalled Russian advances, and strikes targeting Crimea logistics and air defenses. The segment draws on Ukrainian Air Force statements, Finnish President Stubb's casualty comments, Russian milblogger Rybar, and recent strike reports. It frames a potential Ukrainian summer push toward isolating Crimea without a direct amphibious assault.

Source: The Sun