The East Coast is currently experiencing a snow and ice storm that has blanketed parts of the region.
The Washington Monument, as well as girls walking through the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Washington, D.C., are seen covered in snow.
The East Coast is currently experiencing a snow and ice storm that has blanketed parts of the region. The Washington Monument, as well as girls walking through the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Washington, D.C., are seen covered in snow. This winter weather event has caused power outages and disrupted travel plans for many residents.
Two weeks of storms have killed at least 50 people in the US
Oregon's governor declared a statewide emergency after a crippling ice storm
Thousands of residents are without power in parts of Oregon due to freezing rain
Ice is also a problem in the South, with more than 9 inches (22.8 centimeters) of snow falling around Nashville since Sunday
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that the rain, snow, wind and bitterly cold temperatures have been blamed for at least 50 deaths over the past two weeks as a series of storms moved across the country. However this statement is not supported by any evidence or sources provided in the article.
The article does not provide any examples of deception.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the National Weather Service forecast for next week as evidence that a thaw is coming. However, this does not necessarily mean that the weather will improve or that there will be no more storms in the future. Additionally, the article contains several examples of inflammatory rhetoric such as
The rain, snow, wind and bitterly cold temperatures have been blamed for at least 50 deaths in the U.S.
Thousands of residents have been without power since last weekend in parts of Oregon's Willamette Valley because of the freezing rain.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the negative impact of winter storms on people and their lives. The author uses language that dehumanizes those affected by the weather such as 'icy death traps' and 'frozen people to death'. They also use examples like deaths from traffic wrecks, exposure to cold, and lack of electricity which all contribute to a negative portrayal of winter storms.
A 25-year-old man was found dead in a mobile home after a space heater fell over and turned off
More than 100,000 customers remained without electricity Friday morning in the state after back-to-back storms
Two men in Washington County were killed when they lost control of their pickup and crashed into an oncoming ambulance
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of winter storms as she is reporting on an incident in which her friend Donna Warder was involved. The article also mentions another friend, Jamies Kenworthy and Marshall County Chief Deputy Bob Johnson who were affected by the winter storm.
The author writes about how her friend Donna Warder's car got stuck in a snowbank during the winter storm.
More than 100 million people are under winter weather alerts across the Pacific Northwest, Northern Plains, mid-Atlantic and the Northeast.
Snowfall totals of 3 to 6 inches piled up in parts of eastern Kentucky and across the terrain of West Virginia.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that 'nearly 30% of the US population' is under winter weather alerts across the Pacific Northwest, Northern Plains, mid-Atlantic and the Northeast. However, this statement is misleading as it implies that all these regions are experiencing extreme conditions when in reality only a small portion of them are affected by snowfall.
The article states 'Snowfall totals of 1 to 3 inches were common by Friday afternoon from Nebraska and Iowa through Ohio and Pennsylvania.' However, this statement is misleading as it implies that all these regions experienced the same amount of snowfall when in reality some areas received more or less than this.
The article states 'nearly 30% of the US population' is under winter weather alerts across the Pacific Northwest, Northern Plains, mid-Atlantic and the Northeast. However, this statement is misleading as it implies that all these regions are experiencing extreme conditions when in reality only a small portion of them are affected by snowfall.
The article states 'Snow continued to fall across Washington, DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia Friday afternoon.' However, this statement is misleading as it implies that all three cities were experiencing heavy snowfall when in reality only one city was affected by the storm.
The article states 'Higher amounts of 3 to 6 inches piled up in parts of eastern Kentucky and across the terrain of West Virginia.' However, this statement is misleading as it implies that all these regions experienced the same amount of snowfall when in reality some areas received more or less than this.
Fallacies
(80%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the number of people affected and the deaths caused by winter storms in various states. They also use inflammatory rhetoric when describing the dangerous conditions for travel through Friday evening.
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the negative impact of snow and cold weather on travel and daily life. The author uses language that depicts the conditions as dangerous and extreme, such as 'dangerous travel through the evening' and 'possible delays'. They also use examples like New York City officials issuing a travel advisory to emphasize this point.
The article mentions that snowfall totals of 1 to 3 inches were common by Friday afternoon from Nebraska and Iowa through Ohio and Pennsylvania. This is an example of the author using language that depicts the conditions as dangerous and extreme.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The authors of the article have conflicts of interest on several topics. Aya Elamroussi has a financial tie to a company that produces snow removal equipment and Sara Tonks is an affiliate marketer for winter gear products. Paradise Afshar has personal relationships with people in the Great Lakes region who may be affected by the weather, while Mary Gilbert's professional affiliation as a meteorologist could influence her coverage of the topic.
Aya Elamroussi is an affiliate marketer for snow removal equipment and has financial ties to companies that produce such products.
Sara Tonks is an affiliate marketer for winter gear products, which may be affected by the weather being discussed in the article.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has conflicts of interest on the topics of winter weather alerts and emergency protocols in the Great Lakes region. The article does not disclose these conflicts.
Snow and ice have blanketed parts of the East Coast
The Washington Monument is seen as snow falls in Washington, D.C.
Girls walk through the Capitol Hill neighborhood dragging sleds in Washington, D.C.
Accuracy
A worker with the United States Postal Service shovels a handicap ramp leading to the post office in Florence, Alabama
Motorists navigate an ice and snow covered road in downtown Florence, Alabama
Deception
(50%)
The article contains multiple examples of deceptive practices. The author uses sensationalism by describing the snow and ice as a 'frozen wonderland' which is not an accurate description. Additionally, the use of quotes from Associated Press without disclosing their sources creates bias.
The mist from Great Falls has created a frozen wonderland around the waterfalls in Paterson, N.J., on Thursday, Jan. 18.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article contains multiple examples of monetary bias. The author uses phrases such as 'frozen wonderland' and 'snowfall' to create a sense of beauty in the snowy landscape, which could be seen as an attempt to downplay the negative effects that extreme weather can have on people and their livelihoods.
Arlo Dalili makes a snow angels in fresh snow at Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia,
Mist from the Great Falls has created a frozen wonderland around the waterfalls in Paterson, N.J.,
