Daily Source Bias Check: ScienceAlert

These sources consist of legitimate science or are evidence based through the use of credible scientific sourcing.  Legitimate science follows the scientific method, is unbiased and does not use emotional words.  These sources also respect the consensus of experts in the given scientific field and strive to publish peer reviewed science. Some sources in this category may have a slight political bias, but adhere to scientific principles. See all Pro-Science sources.

• Overall, we rate ScienceAlert Pro-Science based on publishing well sourced science news. Editorially, they do lean left, but are High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact check record.

Detailed Report

Factual Reporting: HIGH
Country: Australia
World Press Freedom Rank: Australia 21/180

History

Founded in 2004, ScienceAlert is a website that promotes general science news. According to their about page “ScienceAlert is an independently run news website that covers the most important developments in the world of science and scientific research, while sharing fun, interesting information.” The founder is Chris Cassella, the current CEO is Fiona MacDonald and Signe Dean is the Managing Editor. You can view the entire team here.

Funded by / Ownership

ScienceAlert is owned by the privately held company ScienceAlert Pty Ltd and is funded through online advertising.

Analysis / Bias

In review, ScienceAlert produces original science news content with minimal bias such as this: For The First Time, Physicists Have Produced a Stunning Type of Plasma Jet in The Lab. This story is sourced to the Astrophysical Journal Letters. The website features a tab for Politics and Society that promotes a left leaning bias with stories such as this: Here’s How a Universal Basic Income Can Help Us Mitigate The Climate Emergency. While your reviewer may agree or disagree with this plan, at this time, it aligns with the political left. The website also includes content from AFP.

A factual search reveals they have not failed a fact check.

Overall, we rate ScienceAlert Pro-Science based on publishing well sourced science news. Editorially, they do lean left, but are High for factual reporting due to proper sourcing and a clean fact check record. (D. Van Zandt 2/25/2017) Updated (2/14/2020)

Source: https://www.sciencealert.com