PRO-SCIENCE
These sources consist of legitimate science or are evidence-based through 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 Quarks as a left-leaning pro-science source based on progressive view points regarding the environment. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to fact-based sourcing and a clean fact check record.
Detailed Report
Bias Rating: PRO-SCIENCE (-2.4)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (0.5)
Country: Germany
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: Medium Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY
History
Quarks is a German science communication platform that began as a television program in 1993 and has since expanded into a comprehensive online presence. It is produced by Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), a public broadcasting institution based in Cologne, Germany. The platform aims to make scientific topics accessible to the general public, covering health, environment, technology, and society. More details can be found on their Contact page, but a dedicated “About Us” section is unavailable.
Read our profile on German media and government.
Funded by / Ownership
Quarks is part of WDR, which is a member of ARD, Germany’s public broadcasting consortium. As a publicly funded entity, WDR is financed through broadcasting fees collected from German households, ensuring independence from commercial and political interests.
Analysis / Bias
Quarks provides evidence-based scientific information across various topics. Their article “Anthropocene: The Human Epoch” explores how human activities have significantly impacted Earth’s geology and ecosystems, reflecting the platform’s strong commitment to environmental awareness and climate science.
Additionally, their podcast episode “Healing Drug Trips? The Psychedelic Medicine Dossier” examines the potential therapeutic uses of psychedelics, showing a willingness to engage with emerging scientific discussions while maintaining a fact-based approach.
In its health section, Quarks covers topics like vaccinations, the efficacy of homeopathy, and medical misinformation. The platform takes a pro-science stance, debunking pseudoscience and ensuring that content aligns with medical and scientific consensus.
Quarks is generally a highly reliable science communication platform, providing fact-based content with minimal bias. It presents environmental and health topics through a strong pro-science stance, occasionally reflecting progressive viewpoints.
Failed Fact Checks
- None in the Last 5 years
Overall, we rate Quarks as a left-leaning pro-science source based on progressive view points regarding the environment. We also rate them High for factual reporting due to fact-based sourcing and a clean fact check record. (D. Van Zandt 03/09/2025)
Source: https://www.quarks.de/
Last Updated on March 9, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check
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