The BIRI™ Credibility Guide
The BIRI™ index categorises the credibility of a source based on a scale from 1 (least credible) to 10 (most credible).
An indication of what this index entails can be seen below:
An indication of what this index entails can be seen below:
BIRI™ Score
Description
1
Known propaganda or misinformation outlets.
Ex. Platforms identified for consistently publishing fabricated and misleading content. These sources lack editorial oversight and transparency in data origin.
2
Unverified or politically motivated platforms.
Ex. Sources promoting biased narratives or partial information without evidence-based validation or institutional review. Often driven by ideological or partisan agendas.
3
Personal or ideological blogs.
Ex. Individually managed sites or opinion-based platforms without peer review, editorial standards, or verifiable research methodology. Reliability depends solely on the author's integrity.
4
Independent media and public forums.
Ex. Regionally focused or community-based publications, online discussions, and social platforms with limited editorial processes or fact-checking mechanisms.
5
Professional associations and national publications.
Ex. Recognised organisations producing specialised content or sector reports, often credible within specific fields but lacking global validation or peer-reviewed status.
6
Certified media and accredited journals.
Ex. Professionally managed outlets and verified journals ranked below top-tier institutions, demonstrating moderate editorial integrity and source transparency.
7
Reputable universities and think tanks.
Ex. Academic institutions within the global top 300 and established policy research organisations producing peer-reviewed or evidence-based publications.
8
Leading universities and scientific agencies.
Ex. Global top-tier universities, international NGOs, and verified national research bodies recognised for producing scientifically rigorous and verifiable environmental data.
9
Multilateral and intergovernmental organisations.
Ex. Accredited institutions such as the UN, OECD, and World Bank, producing globally recognised data and maintaining transparent, peer-reviewed reporting standards.
10
International treaty organisations and standards authorities.
Ex. Entities responsible for setting and maintaining international environmental or scientific standards, representing the highest level of institutional reliability and accountability.