Rating Methodology

How we assign political spectrum ratings to Canadian and international news sources.

The 5-point scale

Left

Centre-Left

Centre

Centre-Right

Right

Left (1) — Outlet consistently advocates for progressive policy positions. Editorial framing centres social justice, labour, and structural inequality.
Examples: rabble.ca, The Breach, Press Progress

Centre-Left (2) — Outlet leans progressive in story selection and framing but maintains conventional journalistic standards. May have a liberal editorial board.
Examples: CBC News, Toronto Star, National Observer

Centre (3) — Outlet attempts balanced coverage or focuses on straight reporting. May lean slightly in either direction depending on topic.
Examples: Globe and Mail, CTV, Global News, iPolitics

Centre-Right (4) — Outlet leans conservative in editorial tendency. May emphasize fiscal responsibility, free markets, or traditional institutions.
Examples: National Post, Financial Post, The Hub

Right (5) — Outlet consistently advocates for conservative or populist positions. May be explicitly partisan or activist in approach.
Examples: Rebel News, Western Standard, Toronto Sun

How ratings are determined

Ratings are based on multiple factors:

Editorial board positions — What does the outlet officially advocate for in editorials and opinion pieces?
Story selection — Which topics does the outlet emphasize? What angles do they choose?
Framing and language — How are issues described? What assumptions are embedded in coverage?
Expert assessments — Cross-referenced with academic media studies and established bias research (AllSides, Ad Fontes Media, Media Bias/Fact Check).
Ownership and funding — Who owns the outlet? How is it funded? This provides context for editorial decisions.

Important caveats

Ratings reflect tendency, not every article. A Centre-Left outlet can publish a conservative-leaning piece. The rating reflects the overall editorial pattern.
The spectrum is simplified. Real political positions are multi-dimensional. An outlet can be economically right and socially left. The 5-point scale is a useful shorthand, not a complete picture.
Ratings can change. Outlets evolve. Editorial direction shifts with new ownership, editors, or market forces. We review ratings periodically.
Centre does not mean “correct.” A Centre rating means the outlet attempts balance, not that it has the right answers. Left and Right outlets often break important stories that Centre outlets miss.