THE Daily Mail has demanded that a web browser extension that labels its journalism inaccurate be changed.
The NewsGuard plug-in allows its users to see how trustworthy news websites they are browsing are, according to its criteria on credibility and transparency.
Microsoft updated its Edge browser app for Android and iOS devices to include NewsGuard last week – although plans to turn it on by default have not yet been put into place.
The plug-in displays a message to users visiting the site reading: “Proceed with caution: this website generally fails to maintain basic standards of accuracy and accountability.”
Gordon Crovitz, co-chief executive of the US-based firm, said: “Our journalist analysts always contact websites if they get a negative rating on any of our nine journalistic criteria. The Mail Online chose not to reply.
“Dozens of news websites have changed their practices based on our journalistic criteria on credibility and transparency in order to become more reliable sources of news.”
With a 1/5 ranking, the Mail’s website joins far-right US site InfoWars and government-owned Russian news agency Sputnik.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel