Assessing the Reliability of CBS News: An In-Depth Guide

By Christopher TaylorLast Updated September 18, 2025

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

Understanding CBS News: Origins and Reputation

CBS News is one of the oldest and most widely recognized news organizations in the United States. Founded in 1927, it operates as the news division of the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), now a subsidiary of Paramount Global. Over the decades, CBS News has produced influential programs such as
CBS Evening News
,
Face the Nation
,
60 Minutes
, and
48 Hours
. These programs have become staples of American journalism, shaping public understanding of major news events and current affairs [4] .

Evaluating CBS News’ Reliability

When considering whether CBS News is a reliable source, it is essential to examine independent assessments from multiple reputable media watchdogs and research institutions. The reliability of a news outlet is typically measured by its adherence to factual reporting, use of credible sources, transparency, and record of factual corrections.

Third-Party Reliability Ratings

Ad Fontes Media, an established media analysis organization, scores CBS News (website) at 41.89 out of 64 for reliability. According to their scale, scores above 40 are generally considered good, indicating that CBS News typically delivers reliable, fact-based reporting [1] . CBS News’
World News Roundup
program is even higher, at 46.19, further supporting this assessment [2] .

Media Bias/Fact Check, another leading evaluator, rates CBS News as having a “Left-Center” bias, but assigns it a High Credibility and High Factual Reporting score. Notably, CBS News has had no failed fact-checks in the past five years , underscoring its commitment to accuracy [4] .

Ground News aggregates bias and factuality ratings from several sources, confirming that CBS News has a “High” factuality rating and is widely considered reliable within the industry [3] .

How CBS News Handles Corrections and Fact-Checking

Transparency and willingness to correct errors are important markers of trustworthiness. CBS News maintains a fact-checking team, “CBS News Confirmed,” dedicated to verifying claims and debunking misinformation. This team provides tips for consumers to evaluate information, such as checking the credibility of sources, verifying quotes, and cross-referencing claims with other reputable outlets [5] .

While no outlet is immune from errors, CBS News’ clean recent record on major fact-checking platforms suggests a robust internal process for addressing mistakes and correcting the public record when necessary [4] .

Understanding Bias: What Does It Mean for Reliability?

Most major news organizations have some degree of political or editorial bias, which can influence story selection, framing, and language. Independent reviewers generally categorize CBS News as “Left-Center” or “Lean Left.” Ad Fontes Media’s bias rating is -3.04 (on a scale where negative is left and positive is right), which is close to centrist [1] . Ground News and Media Bias/Fact Check similarly rate it as “Lean Left.”

This means CBS News may more frequently highlight stories or perspectives favorable to the political left, but this does not inherently undermine factual accuracy. It is important to distinguish between bias in story selection and bias in factual reporting. CBS News is recognized for proper sourcing, balanced coverage, and a willingness to present multiple viewpoints even while their editorial leanings are evident [4] .

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Evaluate News from CBS News

To ensure you are consuming accurate information from CBS News-or any news outlet-consider the following practical steps:

Check for Sourcing: Review whether CBS News cites direct sources, official documents, or links to original statements. Well-sourced articles are more likely to be accurate [5] .
Compare Coverage: Look at how CBS News reports a story compared to other reputable outlets. Consistency across sources typically signals reliability. For major stories, check outlets like AP News, Reuters, or BBC for comparison.
Review Fact-Checks: CBS News itself provides fact-checking segments and guidance. Additionally, independent sites such as Media Bias/Fact Check or Ad Fontes Media can be consulted to review any claims in question [4] .
Identify Loaded Language: Be aware of emotionally charged words or sensational headlines. CBS News generally avoids these, but consumers should remain vigilant, especially for opinion or analysis pieces.
Seek Direct Access: When possible, read or view the original statements, press releases, or speeches referenced in CBS News reporting. CBS often links to primary sources in their digital articles.

Practical Application: How to Use CBS News as a Trusted Source

If you rely on CBS News for updates, consider the following best practices:

Use CBS News for breaking news, investigative journalism, and major event coverage. Their programs such as
60 Minutes
and
Face the Nation
are considered industry benchmarks for in-depth reporting [4] .
For controversial or highly politicized stories, supplement CBS News coverage by consulting at least one other mainstream source with a different editorial bias. This ensures a more rounded view.
If you encounter a questionable story or claim, you may search for it on reputable fact-checking sites or use the tips provided by CBS News Confirmed [5] .

Addressing Potential Challenges and Limitations

No news outlet is entirely free from bias, and occasional errors can occur. CBS News’ “Left-Center” bias rating means some stories may reflect a particular perspective, especially on social or political topics. Consumers should be aware of this editorial lean but can generally trust that the information is well-sourced and has undergone editorial review [3] . To minimize the impact of bias, always consider reading across a spectrum of credible news providers.

Should you wish to provide feedback on CBS News’ coverage, you can usually find contact information on the CBS News website. Users may also participate in public discussions or submit corrections if they spot factual errors in reporting.

Alternative Approaches for Verifying News Reliability

If you are concerned about the reliability of news sources in general, you can:

Consult third-party rating sites such as Ad Fontes Media or Media Bias/Fact Check for up-to-date evaluations of news outlets’ reliability and bias [1] [4] .
Use fact-checking tools and browser extensions that flag questionable news stories or provide additional context.
Follow best practices for digital literacy, including cross-referencing stories, checking for original sources, and remaining skeptical of sensational claims.

Summary: Should You Trust CBS News?

CBS News is widely regarded as a reliable news source, earning high marks for factual reporting from independent reviewers. While it exhibits a moderate left-leaning editorial bias, its reporting is generally well-sourced and accurate, with a strong track record in fact-checking. Consumers are encouraged to remain vigilant, compare coverage across outlets, and make use of CBS News’ own fact-checking resources when in doubt.