The article mentions NewsGuard rated these outlets. It is important to note that the former CIA director, Michael Hayden, is involved. Maybe NewsGuard is legitimate, but having a CIA director on the board is very weird.
> NewsGuard’s advisors provide advice and subject-matter expertise to NewsGuard. They play no role in the determinations of ratings or the Nutrition Label write ups of websites unless otherwise noted and have no role in the governance or management of the organization.
I'm not sure why I should trust that they always accurately describe when they listen to the CIA on issues. I don't trust the CIA and I don't trust a board that has a former CIA director as a member.
The CIA and truth don't usually go hand in hand unless the word not is between them. The CIA is known for manipulation, coups, killing, etc not for spreading truth.
The CIA destabilises (not only - it also props up some) foreign governments to further US interests. In the US it's the FBI's job to thwart the efforts of foreign governments (who support these outlets directly and indirectly) to manipulate US elections to their interests (which might or not align with the interests of Americans).
All the big ones play this game with everyone eles.
Trust me. I grew up in a US-made military dictatorship because the US didn't like the idea of a less US-aligned democratic government.
I take it as a sign the CIA believes some "news" outlets in the US are fronts for foreign threats and at least part of their command structure is outside FBI's jurisdiction.
Or just that someone decided to hire a seemingly competent intelligence officer for a fact-checking organisation.
https://www.newsguardtech.com/our-advisory-board/
> NewsGuard’s advisors provide advice and subject-matter expertise to NewsGuard. They play no role in the determinations of ratings or the Nutrition Label write ups of websites unless otherwise noted and have no role in the governance or management of the organization.