If AI only generates answers from the media it trusts, we need to know exactly which media we should be targeting - and which we should be avoiding.
For this answer, the only reliable source of information is AI itself, so this next section comes from a conversation with ChatGPT...
Trust in news sources is based not on political alignment, but on factual accuracy, editorial standards, reputation for journalistic integrity, and general consensus among media analysts and fact-checking organisations.
Sources that consistently publish fact-based, well-sourced information are considered more trustworthy. Conversely, outlets known for spreading misinformation, disinformation, or conspiracy theories are considered less reliable or untrustworthy.
Here's a breakdown:
50 Generally Trusted Global News Outlets
These are widely regarded as reputable by media analysts, fact-checkers (like Media Bias/Fact Check, Ad Fontes, and Newsguard), and academic media studies. Inclusion does not mean bias-free - it means generally reliable, especially for factual reporting.
BBC News (UK)
Reuters (Global)
Associated Press (AP) (Global)
The Guardian (UK)
The New York Times (USA)
The Washington Post (USA)
Bloomberg (USA)
NPR (National Public Radio) (USA)
Al Jazeera English (Qatar/global)
Deutsche Welle (DW) (Germany)
Financial Times (UK)
The Economist (UK)
France 24 (France)
CBC News (Canada)
ABC News (Australia)
CNN International (Global)
The Times (UK)
Sky News (UK)
El País (Spain)
Le Monde (France)
Der Spiegel (Germany)
Süddeutsche Zeitung (Germany)
Asahi Shimbun (Japan)
Yomiuri Shimbun (Japan)
Hindustan Times (India)
The Hindu (India)
The Globe and Mail (Canada)
The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Irish Times (Ireland)
The Straits Times (Singapore)
La Repubblica (Italy)
Corriere della Sera (Italy)
NZZ (Neue Zürcher Zeitung) (Switzerland)
NOS News (Netherlands)
Aftenposten (Norway)
DR News (Denmark)
SVT News (Sweden)
RTE News (Ireland)
TVNZ News (New Zealand)
Bellingcat (investigative, global)
ProPublica (USA)
Center for Investigative Reporting / Reveal (USA)
ICIJ (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists)
BuzzFeed News (before closure) (USA, for investigations)
Axios (USA)
Politico (USA & Europe)
TechCrunch (USA, tech)
Nature News (science journalism)
Scientific American
STAT News (health/science)
50 Media Outlets Commonly Not Considered Trusted by AI Systems
These outlets are often flagged for misinformation, conspiracy theories, extreme bias, lack of editorial standards, or failure to correct known falsehoods. They are usually avoided as primary sources unless noted in a factual context.
Infowars
Breitbart News
The Sun (UK) (for serious news; often sensationalised)
Daily Mail (UK) (mixed—some reporting okay, but often avoided)
GB News (UK)
Fox News (opinion division)
The Gateway Pundit
RT (Russia Today)
Sputnik News
PressTV (Iran)
Tass (Russia)
Zero Hedge
Natural News
OANN (One America News Network)
Newsmax
The Epoch Times
Daily Wire
The Blaze
Project Veritas
Before It's News
YourNewsWire / NewsPunch
The People’s Voice
LifeSite News
American Thinker
Western Journal
WND (WorldNetDaily)
Bitchute (content aggregation)
The Federalist
RedState
Censored.TV
NATURALSociety
Gateway News
Rair Foundation USA
Vaccine Impact News
Real Raw News
Conservative Treehouse
The Liberty Daily
David Icke News
Trump Media & Technology Group / Truth Social posts
QAnon-related blogs and forums
GBNews.co.uk (UK)
State TV outlets in authoritarian regimes (e.g., North Korea’s KCNA)
Hal Turner Radio Show
America’s Frontline Doctors (website)
Parler posts (not a news site but source of misinformation)
8kun / 4chan “news” boards
The Duran
SouthFront
Voice of Europe
Zee News (India) (flagged for disinformation in some contexts)
Note on Fox News: Fox News division (straight reporting) may sometimes be cited, but the opinion shows are considered highly partisan and less fact-checked, so are generally avoided as primary sources.
Summary
Trusted sources = Generally factual, corrected when wrong, broad editorial oversight.
Untrusted sources = Frequent misinformation, poor sourcing, propaganda, or conspiracy platforms.
Political bias does not equal lack of trust, but extreme or manipulative framing often correlates with unreliability.