[dexen]

There are good independent journalists out there [1]. While they are naturally biased individuals, you quickly learn their biases and apply correction. If you subscribe to a few of them, their coverage averages out to about neutral.

IMO a hallmark of honest journalist is ability to openly discuss the journalistic process & toolkit. Call it journalism's equivalent of Kerckhoff's principle.

Another good check mark is ability to criticize errors in the media and issue correction and retractions.

[1] for example Tim Pool, https://twitter.com/Timcast