In an era where information is as accessible as it is voluminous, distinguishing trustworthy news from misinformation is a critical skill. For those keen on geopolitics or any subject matter, the veracity of information can shape opinions, decisions, and actions. How do we then sift through the noise to find signals worth our trust?

The Quest for Reliable Information

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and similar institutions rely on accurate, unbiased reporting to form their analyses. For an intelligence analyst—or even a discerning member of the public—identifying sources that just report the facts is essential. But what makes a news source trustworthy?

Criteria for Trustworthiness

• Accuracy: Reliable news sources fact-check their information and present it without errors.
• Accountability: Good news sources stand by their reporting, correct errors, and make retractions when necessary.
• Balance: Trusted sources present multiple sides of an issue without displaying favoritism.
• Objectivity: Reporting is free from bias, and the news source avoids conflicts of interest.
• Transparency: Reputable sources are clear about their processes, funding, and affiliations.

Tools of the Trade

Intelligence analysts and decision-makers don’t rely on single sources. Instead, they triangulate data from multiple sources, often enhancing open-source information with classified intelligence. The art of critical assessment is their trade, practiced meticulously through each piece of information they encounter.

The Road Ahead

Understanding trust in news is just the start. As we become more sophisticated consumers of information, the tools to analyze, summarize, and visualize this information will become increasingly vital. From sentiment analysis to bias detection, technology will play a pivotal role in helping us navigate the complex landscape of news media.

By educating ourselves on the signs of trustworthy reporting and using the right tools to analyze content, we can make better-informed decisions about the world around us.

The Top 100 Trusted News Sources

Each source on this list has been vetted for the criteria above and is known for its reliability and objectivity, especially concerning geopolitical events.

1. Reuters: An international news organization owned by Thomson Reuters.
2. BBC World Service: The world’s largest international broadcaster, broadcasting news, speech, and discussions.
3. The Associated Press (AP): A U.S.-based not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City.
4. Agence France-Presse (AFP): An international news agency headquartered in Paris, France.
5. Bloomberg: A global leader in business and financial data, news, and insight.
6. Al Jazeera English: An international state-funded 24-hour English-language news channel owned by the Al Jazeera Media Network.
7. Deutsche Welle (DW): Germany’s international broadcaster that provides news and information in 30 languages.
8. Financial Times: An international daily newspaper focused on business and economic current affairs.
9. The Economist: An international weekly newspaper printed in magazine format that focuses on current affairs, international business, politics, technology, and culture.
10. South China Morning Post: Hong Kong’s newspaper of record, reporting on China and Asia.
11. The Diplomat: A current affairs magazine for the Asia-Pacific region.
12. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Broadcasting news to countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established.
13. Voice of America: A U.S. government-funded international multimedia agency.
14. The Guardian - International Edition: An international news website owned by the Guardian Media Group.
15. Le Monde Diplomatique (English Edition): A monthly newspaper offering analysis and opinion on politics, culture, and current affairs.
16. The New York Times - International Section: Renowned for its worldwide coverage and analysis of news and its high editorial standards.
17. The Washington Post - World Section: Provides breaking news and analysis on global events.
18. CNN International: An international television channel that is the sister of the CNN news channel.
19. CNBC - World News: Provides latest business news on stock markets, financial markets, and more.
20. Euronews: European news media providing news from a European perspective.
21. France 24: Paris-based international news television network that broadcasts 24/7.
22. Asia Times: Covers regional news with an emphasis on finance.
23. Foreign Policy: Magazine of global politics, economics, and ideas.
24. Foreign Affairs: An American magazine of international relations and U.S. foreign policy.
25. Council on Foreign Relations - Publications: Think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs.
26. International Crisis Group - Reports: Independent organization working to prevent wars and shape policies.
27. STRATFOR: American geopolitical intelligence platform and publisher.
28. Jane’s Information Group: Leading global open-source intelligence company.
29. The Moscow Times: Independent English-language newspaper covering Russia.
30. Kyodo News: One of the largest news agencies in Japan.
31. Xinhua News Agency - English Version: The official state-run press agency of the People’s Republic of China.
32. Nikkei Asian Review: Provides news on economics, business, and politics in Asia.
33. The Times of India - World News: English-language newspaper in India with worldwide coverage.
34. The Sydney Morning Herald - World: Australian newspaper with a significant focus on international events.
35. Haaretz - English Edition: Israel’s oldest daily newspaper in an English language edition.
36. Jerusalem Post: Israeli English-language newspaper.
37. The Globe and Mail - International: Canadian newspaper with substantial international coverage.
38. El País - English Edition: A Spanish newspaper with an English language edition focusing on global news.
39. Yonhap News Agency - English News: The largest news agency in South Korea.
40. The Africa Report: Provides news on African issues from politics to economics.
41. AllAfrica: African news and information for a global audience.
42. ANSA - English News: Italian news agency with an English section providing news updates.
43. The Irish Times - World News: Irish quality daily newspaper focusing on international news.
44. The Nordic Page - Norway: Online newspaper providing English-language news about Norway.
45. The Local - Various European editions: English-language news network in Europe with multiple regional editions.
46. The Rio Times - South America: English-language publication dedicated to anyone interested in Brazil and Mercosur.
47. The Caracas Chronicles - Venezuela: Providing news and analysis about Venezuelan politics and economics.
48. Hurriyet Daily News - English Edition: Turkish news source for readers outside Turkey.
49. Dawn - World Section: Pakistan’s oldest and most widely read English-language newspaper.
50. The Hindu - International: Indian English-language daily newspaper with comprehensive international coverage.
51. Al-Monitor: A trusted source for reporting and analysis from and about the Middle East.
52. Inter Press Service: Global news agency focusing on issues such as development, environment, human rights, and civil society.
53. TASS Russian News Agency: Major Russian state-owned news agency.
54. Global Times: An English-language Chinese newspaper under the People’s Daily.
55. East Asia Forum: Platform for analysis and research on economics, politics, law, and public policy in East Asia and the Pacific.
56. Japan Times: Japan’s largest and oldest English-language daily newspaper.
57. The National: An English-language daily newspaper published in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
58. The Asahi Shimbun: One of Japan’s oldest and largest national daily newspapers in English.
59. The New Internationalist: Magazine focusing on social justice issues worldwide.
60. Eurasianet: Provides news, analysis, and commentary on countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus region.
61. Middle East Monitor: Provides news and analysis from the Middle East and North Africa.
62. Middle East Eye: An independently funded online news organization that provides reporting and analysis from the Middle East.
63. Tehran Times: English-language daily newspaper in Iran.
64. Ahram Online: English-language news web service in Egypt.
65. Business Insider - Military & Defense: Provides military and defense news as part of its broader coverage of technology, finance, and industry.
66. Quartz - Geopolitics: An international business news outlet that provides creative takes on global affairs.
67. Politico - Defense: Offers political journalism with a focus on national security and defense policy.
68. Brookings Institution: Nonprofit public policy organization conducting in-depth research.
69. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Foreign-policy think tank with centers in Russia, China, Europe, the Middle East, India, and the United States.
70. RAND Corporation: Research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges.
71. The Wilson Center: Provides research and policy proposals on global issues.
72. SIPRI: International institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control, and disarmament.
73. Chatham House: Think tank focused on international affairs.
74. The Atlantic Council: American think tank specializing in international affairs.
75. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): A think tank focused on defense and security.
76. Center for a New American Security (CNAS): A Washington, D.C.-based think tank in the field of national security.
77. The Heritage Foundation: Conservative think tank primarily focused on public policy.
78. East-West Center: Promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific.
79. The Lowy Institute: An independent think tank with a focus on international policy.
80. Axios: Known for its brisk, event-driven news in the realms of politics, business, and technology.
81. Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis (IFPA): An independent, nonpartisan research organization specializing in national security, foreign policy, and defense planning issues.
82. The Center for Public Integrity: Investigative journalism organization that gives voice to the public and speaks out against corruption.
83. International Institute for Strategic Studies: Global think tank researching political & military conflict.
84. CIGI: Independent, non-partisan think tank focused on international governance.
85. Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada: Focuses on Canada’s relations with Asia on a variety of levels.
86. CGTN: Multinational media organization of China, providing global audiences with news and analysis.
87. Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI): An independent think tank that generates policy-relevant research on strategic and defense issues.
88. International Relations and Security Network: A Swiss contribution to the partnership for peace.
89. Institute for the Study of War: Researches and analyzes military and foreign affairs.
90. The Jamestown Foundation: Provides research and analysis on global security, political, economic, and geopolitical trends.
91. United States Institute of Peace: Independent institute founded by Congress to provide practical solutions for preventing and resolving violent conflict.
92. Royal United Services Institute (RUSI): British defense and security think tank.
93. National Public Radio (NPR): A non-profit media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of public radio stations in the United States.
94. The Atlantic: An American magazine and multi-platform publisher. It provides international analysis on politics, culture, business, science, and technology.
95. International Reporting Project: Provides opportunities for journalists to report on global issues.
96. Asia Society: Global non-profit organization focusing on educating the world about Asia.
97. European Council on Foreign Relations: Pan-European think tank conducting research and promoting informed debate across Europe.
98. Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS): Provides analysis of China-related topics for European decision-makers.
99. Global Risk Insights: Political risk news and analysis.
100. Stimson Center: Nonprofit think tank that provides policy analysis on peace and security issues globally.