What Is FixMedia

FixMedia is an open forum where anyone is free to flag news articles or reports for potentially containing erroneous or misleading information. It is strictly non-partisan and allows users to review posts other people have made and decide for themselves what they believe.

What Started FixMedia

FixMedia was started out of personal frustration for misleading news sources. Almost all the media is controlled by a handful of large corporations. We decided that the freedom of press did not extend itself to the freedom to mislead. When people are ill-informed, the effects can be devastating.

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Fully Referenced

This means that the post you see is completely referenced. In other words, it links both the source article where the error is believed to have occurred, and one or more reference articles that support the point. This is the highest classification, because anyone can look at both the source and the reference instantly. There is nothing left up to opinion, and all the facts are readily available.

Partially Referenced

This color indicates that only part of the references are viewable on the internet. This could mean two things: the source, where the error may have occurred, may be a television broadcast or another unlinkable medium, while the proof is available through a link. This could also mean, however, that the source is available, but the reference to support the post couldn't be found or linked. This may occur if the poster themselves claims to be an expert, or if the poster is making a subjective assessment (like he/she believes the article is biased).

Unreferenced

This color indicates no links are provided for viewing by users. These should be carefully considered as no proof on either end is provided. It is possible that the poster caught a biased broadcast and decided to post about it. It is also possible that someone may have witnessed something first hand that contradicts a television report. Though these posts may be true, they should be approached with caution and heavily discussed in the comments.

Absolution Post(Redemption)

This is the best case scenario. This color means that the article was in some way changed as a result of a FixMedia fix-post. This can be posted if the article is taken down, the error is acknowledged, the article is corrected, or an apology is posted. This is a way for new sources to redeem themselves in FixMedia's eye.

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Incorrect Fact

This flag will appear on any post that has a direct error. This could be an inflated or incorrect number, or anything that is simply untrue. It is the most powerful flag as it leaves little room for subjectivity or argument. Simply put, it is to alert someone that false information may be present in the article

Out of Context

Just as the title says. Any article that purposely presents a fraction of a conversation or line of facts in an attempt to influence the reader should be flagged with this.

Poor Tone

Going down in severity, this is one of the more subjective flags. Poor tone encompasses biases, assumptions, speculation, misleading article titles, vested interest, and anything else. If the article in any way shape or form deviates from strict fact presentation sans emotion, it should be flagged for tone.

Poor Focus

The least significant, and most common, flag is poor focus. If the media is focusing on a celebrity's divorce case while significant news is happening in other parts of the world or country, it can be reprimanded with this flag. This can also occur if focus is placed on a single missing person, and argued by linking an article on the number of missing persons reported every year.

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Agree(Postive Rating)

Click on this if you agree with the Fix-Post. In other words, after reading the writeup, viewing the source article in question, viewing any references (if needed), if you decide that the post is very relevant, and there is definitely errors in the article as so reflected, then you click agree.

Undecidied(Neutral Rating)

You would click on this if you weren't sure. Let's say someone is pegging an article as biased. The author of the post may be slightly biased themselves and thus their vision may not be shared with others. If it isn't clear cut, and something may be wrong with the article but you're not for sure, click on this one.

Disagree(Negative Rating)

If the Fix-Post is simply off-base, using a poor reference, reading too much into things, or simply ill-informed themselves, let them know by disagreeing with their post. This must not be confused with flagging an article as inappropriate. This should be used if you disagree with the posters assertion, but if the content is legit.

Flag Post as Innapropriate or Offensive

This should be used with caution and sparingly. Click this only if the post contains lewd, inappropriate, or otherwise deemed content that is not relevant or suitable for viewing. This may also include potentially malicious content that is attempting to harm FixMedia readers. An email will be sent to an administrator immediately for review.

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What

A captcha is an automated image that randomly displays a number of digits that a user must input.

(FixMedia's captcha was created by and provided courtesy of Brendon at www.bitfilm.net.)

Why

This is for security purposes. By filling this out, it ensures FixMedia that you are indeed human, and a valid user. Think of it this way, by filling this out, your experience is enhanced by knowing this will filter out the automated spam-bots and other malicious users.

How

All you need to do is read the numbers that are contained in the generated image and type them into the box below. There are no letters. If you have trouble interpreting the captcha, press refresh on your browser to generate a new one as needed. If you still are unable to sign up, contact us and we will accommodate.

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Why It Matters

Choosing the right browser can truly make the difference between a good and bad experience at FixMedia. We HIGHLY recommend that whatever browser you are using, that you check now to make sure you have the latest version. Outdated versions of any browser means our page may not display correctly, and you may be vulnerable to security risks.

What We Recommend

Mozilla Firefox is the leader in standards and security, and best of all, it's free. If you browse FixMedia in Firefox, you're ensuring that everything will be displayed correctly and you minimize security risks dramatically. In addition, the FixShip Toolbar is only available for Firefox users at this time. Interested? Check it out:

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Ease Of Use

Simply put, FixMedia is much easier to browse and use with javascript enabled. You will enjoy a much simpler, user-friendly interface. We use it to allow voting without refreshing the page each time, and allow you to expand items on a page that would otherwise consume a large amount of space.

Disabled Features

Unfortunately, javascript is required to make Fix-Posts and rate posts. However, users that still decide to disable javascript will be able to browse and comment on all fix-posts. In addition, disabling Javascript also disables our advertisements, which keep FixMedia free and display relevant links to interesting places on the Internet. For these reasons, we highly suggest you keep Javascript enabled.

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What Is It?

The FixShip Toolbar is an extension(sometimes called add-on, or plug-in) available for Mozilla Firefox Browsers. It provides a convenient, unintrusive method for safely browsing the news so people can be alerted if the news they're reading is potentially tainted.

How It Works

It works by constantly checking the website address you're currently viewing against our records to determine if anyone has previously submitted a fix-post on the page you're viewing. In other words, if someone had made a post about a news article the day prior, alerting users of potential errors in the article, and you come across the article with the FixShip installed, it will flash and notify you that something is potentially incorrect. Clicking on the toolbar will open a new window containing all fix-post's associated with the URL you're viewing.

How To Download

Please visit the FixShip homepage to download now. Soon, once it is approved, the extension will be available on Mozilla's website.

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