Susanne Rust

Susanne Rust is an investigative reporter specializing in environmental issues. She has held various positions throughout her career, including editor of Columbia University's Energy & Environmental Reporting Project and science reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Rust has received numerous journalism awards for her work, such as a George Polk and John S. Oakes award for environmental reporting, and was a Pulitzer finalist in 2009. Her primary focus is on topics related to the environment and investigative reporting.

Biography:  https://www.latimes.com/people/susanne-rust

62%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermines the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
Analysis.OverallConflictOfInterestScore * 0.3F + Analysis.OverallBiasScore * 0.3F + Analysis.DeceptivenessScore * 0.3F + Analysis.ReadabilityScore * 0.1F

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The Daily's Verdict

This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.

Bias

43%

Examples:

  • Rust often reports on environmental issues and provides factual information without taking a clear stance.
  • Susanne Rust presents information in a balanced manner with minimal personal opinions.

Conflicts of Interest

86%

Examples:

  • Mark McAfee, founder of Fresno's Raw Farm and the Raw Milk Institute, is quoted in the article 'Raw milk enthusiasts uncowed by bird flu risk in dairy', potentially creating a conflict of interest.
  • Rust has a connection to the Raw Milk Institute as she is an advisor and has provided expert testimony on the benefits of raw milk in courtrooms across the nation.

Contradictions

79%

Examples:

  • In the article 'Raw milk enthusiasts uncowed by bird flu risk in dairy', Rust reports raw milk enthusiasts' opinions while also including information about government warnings and scientific research on pasteurization.
  • In the article 'Valley fever strikes attendees of California music festival', Rust reports five cases of valley fever among attendees but contradicts herself by stating that more than 20,000 people attended the event and instances of Valley Fever peaked for the first time in a decade in 2021 with 20,970 recorded cases.

Deceptions

50%

Examples:

  • In the article 'Government scientists are warning consumers to stay away from raw milk, but raw milk enthusiasts are doubling down on the claimed benefits and safety of their favorite elixir.', Rust presents opposing viewpoints without clearly indicating which is more credible.
  • Mark McAfee's claim that his phone has been ringing off the hook with customers asking for H5N1 milk because they want immunity from it is not fact-checked or challenged by Rust.

Recent Articles

Five Cases of Valley Fever Identified at California Music Festival: Three Hospitalized, Public Health Director Shares Personal Experience

Five Cases of Valley Fever Identified at California Music Festival: Three Hospitalized, Public Health Director Shares Personal Experience

Broke On: Tuesday, 30 July 2024 Five cases of valley fever, a potentially deadly fungal infection, have been identified among attendees of the Lightning in a Bottle music festival in California, with three hospitalized. Public Health Director Brynn Carrigan and other festivalgoers shared their experiences with the illness, which is caused by the coccidioides fungus found in certain regions of California. Kern County has the highest incidence rate for valley fever cases in the state.
Avian Flu in Dairy Cows: Renewed Warnings Against Raw Milk and the Debate Over Food Freedom

Avian Flu in Dairy Cows: Renewed Warnings Against Raw Milk and the Debate Over Food Freedom

Broke On: Sunday, 12 May 2024 An avian flu outbreak among dairy cows has renewed FDA warnings against consuming raw milk due to potential contamination. Raw milk enthusiasts argue for food freedom, but pasteurization inactivates bird flu virus and protects against other pathogens.