Issues and Controversies

Subscription Databases
These are databases we purchase. They are created specifically for students, and the information contained is pre-vetted (checked for accuracy).

Issues & Controversies

Hundreds of hot topics in politics, government, business, society, education, and popular culture.


Gale: Opposing Viewpoints

Facts and arguments on current events topics and social issues.


Websites / Web-based resources
These are resources that are available to anyone online. (See comments attached to each to consider BIAS and possibly RELIABILITY.)

Procon.org

MediaBiasFactCheck.org rates PROCON.org: Least Biased with High Factual Reporting
Formed in 2004 and now owned by Encyclopedia Britannica.




ReligiousTolerance.org

An English-language site offering to the general public objective information on at least 63 world religions and other faith groups as well as on a variety of other religious topics.
Some mistakes reported
Last update 2017
Site includes good and bad reviews.


ReligiousTolerance.org

Specific link to overview of background on religious conflict


Jean and Alexander Heard Library

Covers a wide range of topics.
Curated by Vanderbilt University information specialists.
Vanderbilt University is doing extensive training on understanding bias.


ACLU article: The Drug War is the New Jim Crow

Allsides.org and Mediabiasfactcheck.org rate ACLU: Left of center and Mixed on Factual Reporting
*Quote from AllSides.com "The ACLU also works to extend rights to segments of our population that have traditionally been denied their rights, including people of color; women; lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people; prisoners; and people with disabilities.


BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) Article on Violent Video Games

Mediabiasfactcheck and Media Bias chart rate BBC: Just left of center with HIGH for factual reporting.



Huffingtong Post links to articles on Child Beauty Pageants -

Mediabiasfactcheck.org and the Media Bias Chart rate Huffington Post:"Far Left" and "Mixed" for factual reporting.


DeathPenalty.org Information Page (Capital Punishment)

Wikipedia on DPIC: "DPIC does not take a formal position on the death penalty but is critical of how it is administered.[1][2][3] As a result, some have referred to it as an anti-death penalty organization.[4][5] According to a pro-death penalty prosecutor, DPIC is "probably the single most comprehensive and authoritative internet resource on the death penalty" but "makes absolutely no effort to present any pro-death penalty views."[6]" Wikipedia* Wikipedia is good for overview info! Never use it as a source, though!


Prospect.org (American Prospect) Teen Pregnancy

Wikipedia on American Prospect: "The American Prospect is a daily online and quarterly print American political and public policy magazine dedicated to American liberalism and progressivism. Based in Washington, D.C., The American Prospect says it aims "to advance liberal and progressive goals through reporting, analysis, and debate about today's realities and tomorrow's possibilities."[2]" Wikipedia - Wikipedia is good for an overview. Never use it as a source, though! Media Bias Fact Check ranks it as "Far Left" (not extreme) with a "High" level of Factual Reporting.


mic.com Article "Genetic Engineering: We shouldn't cross a line"

Wikipedia on MIC.com: "Since 2018, Mic has produced video content covering social justice and progressive issues, described as "serious issues important to young people",[17] distributed through the Mic website and through social media. This content is supplemented with advertorial videos produced for clients.[18] Writing for Forbes in 2014, Abe Brown described PolicyMic's style as hyperbolic, with a mix of serious analysis of issues and attention-seeking listicles. Brown grouped the site with Upworthy, Buzzfeed, and BusinessInsider as opposed to more conventional news media such as The New York Times and The Washington Post.[4] In an effort to improve Mic's editorial quality, the company recruited Cory Haik as publisher, and Kerry Lauerman as executive editor, both from The Post.[19]" From Wikipedia - Wikipedia is good for overviews. Never use it as a source.


Serendipstudio.org - Genetic Engineering - Why so Controversial?

Disclaimer from Serendipstudio.org:"This paper reflects the research and thoughts of a student at the time the paper was written for a course at Bryn Mawr College. Like other materials on Serendip, it is not intended to be "authoritative" but rather to help others further develop their own explorations. Web links were active as of the time the paper was posted but are not updated." Serendipstudio.org used to be admisitered through Bryn Mawr College, but is no longer.


Transequality.org Transgender Rights

Wikipedia on the NCTE: "The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) is a nonprofit social equality organization founded in 2003 by transgender activist Mara Keisling in Washington, D.C.[5] The organization works primarily in the areas of policy advocacy and media activism with the aim of advancing the equality of transgender people in the United States.[6] Among other transgender-related issue areas, NCTE focuses on discrimination in employment, access to public accommodations, fair housing, identity documents, hate crimes and violence, criminal justice reform, federal research surveys and the Census, and health care access.[7]" From Wikipedia - Wikipedia is good for overviews. Never use it as a source. Media Bias Fact Check ranks it as more than just "Left of Center" and ranks it "High" for factual reporting.


DrugWarFacts.com Article on Race and Drugs

This site has been opened, but it was difficult to find information on the site itself, the publisher (Real Reporting Foundation) or its editor (Doug McVay), but with digging we found that he is considered an "expert court witness for the big legal issues conerning drugs." Evidence provided shows this site is left leaning. -- The site was updated just one year ago with new scholarly articles, but it is important to read more than just the quotes provided. Link in and see if the quotes tell the whole story or just one part!