Learn · Letter grades, decoded

What does a C− mean?

Clad letter grades (A+ to F) score the broadcast’s accuracy — not the politician, not your team. Here’s the plain-language key.

The letter grade is for the coverage you watched: how its claims held up, whether load-bearing facts were sourced, and whether the framing matched the evidence.

It is not a grade for the politician, the party, or the story’s “importance.” A hard-hitting segment can earn an A if it’s careful. A flattering segment can earn a C if it leaves out what you needed to know.

When you’re skimming on your phone: read the grade first, then the one-line rationale, then open the key moments if it matters to you.

A+ Exceptional High accuracy, primary sources, fair framing. Minor nits only.

A / A− Strong Claims hold up. Small gaps or light framing issues.

B+ / B / B− Mostly solid Mostly accurate with a few missing-context or soft spots.

C+ / C / C− Mixed Real problems mixed with real facts. Check the key moments.

D+ / D / D− Weak Significant factual issues, heavy spin, or unsourced load-bearing claims.

F Fails Pervasive misinformation or propaganda-level distortion.

Practice on the morning quiz. Free account unlocks grades on every report — create one. Campus hub: Clad for students.

More explainers

How to read the lean meter — Left · Center · Right
Verified, disputed, missing context — Claim tags
Why every report lists sources — Receipts
How to spot spin in 30 seconds — Patterns
Reading the news before your first vote — Civics, no lecture