| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Are comparisons fair? | Judge whether comparisons match. |
| 2. | Are experts cited? | Check for qualified sources. |
| 3. | Are facts separated? | Distinguish facts from opinion. |
| 4. | Are labels fair? | Judge descriptive fairness. |
| 5. | Are numbers explained? | Check whether statistics are clear. |
| 6. | Are quotes in context? | Check whether quotes are complete. |
| 7. | Are quotes selective? | Watch for cherry-picked quotes. |
| 8. | Are sources anonymous? | Note unnamed sourcing. |
| 9. | Are sources credible? | Assess trustworthiness. |
| 10. | Are sources independent? | Check for separate origins. |
| 11. | Are sources named? | See whether identities are given. |
| 12. | Are statistics contextualized? | See if numbers have context. |
| 13. | Are terms defined? | Check whether wording is explained. |
| 14. | Are words loaded? | Check for emotional wording. |
| 15. | Can claims be checked? | See if verification is possible. |
| 16. | Do visuals mislead? | Check if images distort. |
| 17. | Does the headline fit? | Compare headline with article. |
| 18. | Does timing matter? | Consider chronology’s importance. |
| 19. | How did it happen? | Examine the process or method. |
| 20. | How do they know? | Probe the basis of knowledge. |
| 21. | How many sources? | Count supporting voices. |
| 22. | How representative is it? | Judge whether it reflects more. |
| 23. | Is causation implied? | Watch for cause claims. |
| 24. | Is correlation mistaken? | Separate links from causes. |
| 25. | Is fear being used? | Spot fear appeals. |
| 26. | Is it accurate? | Question factual correctness. |
| 27. | Is it balanced? | Check whether sides are represented. |
| 28. | Is it biased? | Look for slant or prejudice. |
| 29. | Is it current? | See if information is up-to-date. |
| 30. | Is it fair? | Assess balance and justice. |
| 31. | Is it labeled clearly? | Check transparency. |
| 32. | Is it verified? | Check whether facts were confirmed. |
| 33. | Is jargon used? | Notice specialized language. |
| 34. | Is outrage being used? | Spot anger appeals. |
| 35. | Is sympathy being used? | Spot emotional persuasion. |
| 36. | Is the photo current? | Verify image timing. |
| 37. | Is the video edited? | Consider selective editing. |
| 38. | Is the wording precise? | Assess exactness of language. |
| 39. | Is the wording vague? | Spot unclear phrasing. |
| 40. | Is there a document? | Ask for records or papers. |
| 41. | Is there cherry-picking? | Watch for selective evidence. |
| 42. | Is there clickbait? | Notice baiting for attention. |
| 43. | Is there sensationalism? | Check for exaggerated drama. |
| 44. | Is there sponsorship? | Check for paid influence. |
| 45. | Is this an ad? | Distinguish news from promotion. |
| 46. | Is this exceptional? | Ask whether it is unusual. |
| 47. | Is this typical? | Ask whether it is common. |
| 48. | What agenda appears? | Identify possible aims. |
| 49. | What are the facts? | Pull out verifiable details. |
| 50. | What assumptions appear? | Spot unstated beliefs. |
| 51. | What audience is assumed? | Infer intended readers. |
| 52. | What changed? | Identify shifts or developments. |
| 53. | What conflict exists? | Look for conflicts of interest. |
| 54. | What do numbers mean? | Interpret the figures carefully. |
| 55. | What evidence is firsthand? | Identify direct reporting. |
| 56. | What evidence is secondhand? | Identify indirect reporting. |
| 57. | What evidence is strongest? | Find the best support. |
| 58. | What evidence is weak? | Spot shaky support. |
| 59. | What frame is used? | Examine perspective and structure. |
| 60. | What happened? | Ask for the basic event. |
| 61. | What images suggest? | Interpret visual messaging. |
| 62. | What interests are involved? | Look for stakes or agendas. |
| 63. | What is alleged? | Mark unproven accusations. |
| 64. | What is confirmed? | Separate established facts. |
| 65. | What is disputed? | Note contested points. |
| 66. | What is downplayed? | Notice what is minimized. |
| 67. | What is emphasized? | See what gets special attention. |
| 68. | What is its reputation? | Assess outlet credibility. |
| 69. | What is missing? | Notice absent facts or context. |
| 70. | What is omitted? | Ask what was left out. |
| 71. | What is opinion here? | Identify judgments or interpretations. |
| 72. | What is the angle? | Identify the story’s framing. |
| 73. | What is the caption doing? | Examine caption framing. |
| 74. | What is the claim? | Pin down the main assertion. |
| 75. | What is the context? | Place the story in background. |
| 76. | What is the evidence? | Ask what supports the claim. |
| 77. | What is the headline doing? | Examine headline influence. |
| 78. | What is the outlet? | Identify the publisher. |
| 79. | What is the source? | Ask where information comes from. |
| 80. | What is the timeline? | Lay out event sequence. |
| 81. | What is uncertain? | Identify unresolved points. |
| 82. | What key terms mean? | Clarify important vocabulary. |
| 83. | What language stands out? | Examine loaded or vivid wording. |
| 84. | What pattern appears? | Look for recurring trends. |
| 85. | What perspective dominates? | See which viewpoint leads. |
| 86. | What stayed the same? | Notice continuity. |
| 87. | What timeframe is used? | Check the period discussed. |
| 88. | What tone is used? | Notice emotional or rhetorical style. |
| 89. | When did it happen? | Check the timing of events. |
| 90. | Where did it happen? | Locate the event or issue. |
| 91. | Who benefits? | Consider possible beneficiaries. |
| 92. | Who is harmed? | Consider possible victims. |
| 93. | Who is involved? | Identify the people or groups. |
| 94. | Who is not quoted? | Notice missing voices. |
| 95. | Who is quoted? | See whose voices appear. |
| 96. | Who owns the outlet? | Check ownership influence. |
| 97. | Who says so? | Identify the source of information. |
| 98. | Whose perspective is absent? | Notice missing viewpoints. |
| 99. | Why anonymity? | Ask why names are withheld. |
| 100. | Why did it happen? | Look for causes or motives. |