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How to read the lean meter

Political lean (−100 to +100) is about framing and who got airtime — separate from whether the facts are true.

Lean runs from −100 (strongly left framing) through 0 (centered) to +100 (strongly right). It tracks word choice, guest mix, and what got left out — not whether you agree.

Critical rule: lean is not a fact-check. A right-leaning piece can be meticulously sourced. A “centered” piece can still get numbers wrong. Always read lean next to the letter grade and factuality score.

If a number is near zero, we often label it Centered. Small swings are noise; big ones are the signal.

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

More explainers

• What does a C− mean? — Letter grades, decoded
• 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