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UK Police Arrest Several Men, Evacuate Homes Near RAF Fairford Air Base

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Coverage spectrum

Covered by 41 outlets across the spectrum.

235 articles in total, 18 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

British police declared a “major incident” on Sunday near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, evacuating properties in the nearby village of Whelford and arresting several men on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act. Armed officers set up a cordon in the area, and Deutsche Welle reported that bomb disposal teams were checking vehicles at the scene. RAF Fairford is used by the U.S. Air Force, including recently for operations against Iran, according to France 24, the Financial Times and the Daily Wire. The Daily Wire additionally reported that five men were arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack, a detail not confirmed by other outlets.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. A major incident was declared near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, on Sunday

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  2. Homes in the village of Whelford were evacuated

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  3. Several men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses

    Reported byLeftCenterRight

  4. Armed police set up a cordon in the area

    Reported byLeft

  5. Bomb disposal teams were checking vehicles at the scene

    Reported byCenter

Show 2 more pointsShow fewer points

  1. RAF Fairford is used by the U.S. Air Force, including for recent operations against Iran

    Reported byCenterRight

  2. Five men were arrested on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack

    Reported byRight

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • Number of men arrested

    Most outlets, including The Guardian, ABC News, Bloomberg, France 24 and the Associated Press report, say “several” men were arrested without a specific number; the Daily Wire reports that five men were arrested.

  • Nature of the suspected offense

    Most outlets describe the arrests as being over suspected explosives offenses without characterizing intent; the Daily Wire describes the arrests as likely thwarting a terrorist attack.

How each side tells it

Compare views

  • the left

    12 outlets

    Left-side outlets report the arrests and evacuation factually, with The Guardian running a PA Media report while ABC, Bloomberg and Al Jazeera use their own near-identical wording centered on the explosives offenses and evacuation.

    Strong indications’ Iran linked to suspected UK airbase plot
    Al Jazeera EnglishLeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    12 outlets

    Center outlets report the incident factually and are the only group to consistently note the base's recent role in US strikes on Iran.

    UK believes Iran 'played a part' in foiled attack, Burnham says
    The HillCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    17 outlets · 1 opinion

    Most right-side outlets publish a shared factual AP report on the arrests and evacuation, but the Daily Wire alone frames the event as a thwarted terror plot and cites a higher arrest figure.

    Iran is behind ‘Sensational language“terror plot”Presents a contested characterization of the incident as settled rather than attributed terminology.More neutral: security incidentThis appears inside a quotation. The outlet is reporting someone else’s words.Disagree with this highlight?’ at US bomber base in in UK, British leader says
    New York PostRightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left9

    Foiled terror plotRaises QuestionsQuestions remainvigilant villager

  • Center4

    vehemently deniedthwarted terrorist attackmired in confusionscare

  • Right65

    Walk FreeFoiled terror plotThwart Likely Terror Plot'explosive' suspects

In the outlets’ own words

  • Absolutist framing

    Foiled terror plotMore neutral: Arrests near bomber base raise questions about possible threat

    The headline states as settled fact that a terror plot existed and was foiled, while the article's own text says the men 'may have planned' an attack, indicating this remains unconfirmed.

    Foiled terror plot at bomber base signals wider threat to US military installations: expert

    Used byFox News (Far Right)CBS News (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    Walk FreeMore neutral: Released on Bail

    Implies the men escaped justice rather than being released under standard bail procedure.

    Outrageous: Five Fairford Terror Suspects Walk Free on Bail

    Used byRedState (Far Right)Townhall (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    Thwart Likely Terror PlotMore neutral: Men Arrested Near US Military Base on Suspicion of Explosives Offenses

    Presents an unconfirmed terrorism link as an established fact, when other outlets report police only confirmed explosives act arrests and did not confirm a connection to the base

    Police Thwart Likely Terror Plot Against US Military Planes

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    'explosive' suspectsMore neutral: suspects

    The scare-quoted pun dramatizes the suspects' status before charges are established, adding flair beyond the facts.

    UK police arrest 'explosive' suspects near US airbase, key to Iran war

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

Show 73 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Sensational language

    Dramatic picturesMore neutral: Pictures

    Uses an evaluative adjective to heighten drama rather than simply describing the images.

    Dramatic pictures show the suspects being held at gunpoint while stripped to the waist, after…

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    Terror suspectsMore neutral: Suspects

    Labels the men as terrorists in the headline before any terrorism charge was confirmed at the time of the arrest.

    Terror suspects stripped down after ‘planning van bombings’ at UK base used by US Air Force

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Sensational language

    stripped downMore neutral: detained

    Dramatizes the physical details of the arrest for shock value rather than informational purpose.

    Terror suspects stripped down after ‘planning van bombings’ at UK base used by US Air Force

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Sensational language

    car bomb plotMore neutral: suspected explosives plot

    Describes the plot as a definite car bomb scheme before this was confirmed by authorities, adding drama beyond what was verified.

    …pic.twitter.com/lS11CZfglt UPDATE: 5 men have now been arrested on suspicion of a car bomb plot against RAF Fairford, found with 3 vans suspected to have been used as car bombs.

    Used byTownhall (Far Right)

  • Delegitimizing label

    Iranian regimeMore neutral: Iranian government

    Uses a term implying illegitimacy rather than a neutral reference to the Iranian government

    …attack against Americans at an airbase where pilots took off to strike the Iranian regime.

    Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    BreakingMore neutral: remove or use factual header

    Common wire-style label but adds dramatic urgency beyond the facts

    Breaking: 5 Arrested, Bomb Squad Sweeps US Air Base Used for Iran Missions as Suspected Terror…

    Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    nabbed and stripped downMore neutral: arrested and searched

    Colloquial, dramatic phrasing that adds sensationalism beyond a neutral description of arrest and search

    WASHINGTON — President Trump suggested that several of the men who were nabbed and stripped down by British cops on terrorism charges had been under surveillance for some…

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    Foil Terrorist AttackMore neutral: Arrests Made Near RAF Fairford Amid Terror Investigation

    Presents an unconfirmed and still-under-investigation plot as a definitively foiled terrorist attack.

    BREAKING: British Police Foil Terrorist Attack at RAF Fairford This Morning

    Used byHot Air (Far Right)

  • Delegitimizing label

    Islamist regime in TehranMore neutral: the government in Tehran

    Uses a loaded ideological label and 'regime' to describe Iran's government rather than a neutral term.

    …base used by the United States during its military operations against the Islamist regime in Tehran.

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

  • Vague attribution

    the usual suspects are at it againMore neutral: authorities are investigating who was responsible

    Implies, without naming evidence or a group, that a familiar and unspecified party is responsible.

    And it appears that the usual suspects are at it again.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    Urgent warning issuedMore neutral: Warning issued

    Adds dramatic urgency beyond what the factual advisory conveys.

    Urgent warning issued for Americans in the UK after attempted 'terrorist attack' as citizens are…

    Used byDaily Mail (Right)

  • Vague attribution

    Raises QuestionsMore neutral: state the question and who is asking

    The writer is raising the question while pretending someone else did.

    Raises Questions Over Security

    Used byThe New York Times (Left)

  • Sensational language

    Alarming QuestionsMore neutral: Questions

    Adds dramatic emphasis to the story's uncertainty rather than describing a specific fact.

    Near‑Miss at RAF Fairford Raises Alarming Questions About UK Counterterror Failures

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    Counterterror FailuresMore neutral: Counterterror Response

    Presents a contested judgment about UK security performance as an established fact before any investigation conclusion.

    Near‑Miss at RAF Fairford Raises Alarming Questions About UK Counterterror Failures

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    Stopped Terror PlotMore neutral: May Have Helped Foil Suspected Terror Plot

    The headline states as fact that the plot was stopped, while the article itself hedges that the farmer ‘may have helped foil’ it.

    How Farmer’s Late-Night Hunch Stopped Terror Plot Targeting America’s Bombers

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    terrorism centralMore neutral: the site of several recent terrorism-related incidents

    Casts an entire country as a hub of terrorism based on two incidents, exaggerating the scale of the problem.

    …United Kingdom, for some reason I cannot quite put my finger on it, seems to be terrorism central these days.

    Used byHot Air (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    it doesn't take a genius to connect the dotsMore neutral: it is worth considering whether the two incidents are related

    Presents an unproven connection between two separate stories as an obvious, settled conclusion.

    …that two terrorism-related stories hit the news this weekend, and it doesn't take a genius to connect the dots.

    Used byHot Air (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    barely stoppedMore neutral: stopped

    Adds dramatic emphasis to the closeness of the outcome without a clear factual basis for how narrow the margin actually was.

    The police barely stopped a terrorist attack at RAF Fairford Base, where US bombers are based in the war…

    Used byHot Air (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    Thwarted Terror AttackMore neutral: Suspected Terror Plot

    Presents as settled fact that an attack was planned and stopped, when only arrests on suspicion have occurred.

    State Department Issues Security Alert for Gloucestershire Following Thwarted Terror Attack

    Used byTownhall (Far Right)

  • Dehumanizing label

    Wannabe TerroristsMore neutral: Suspects

    Labels unconvicted suspects as terrorists before any charges or trial.

    Wannabe Terrorists Who Targeted U.S.

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    Free To Try Deadly Plot AgainMore neutral: Released on Bail Amid Ongoing Investigation

    Presents a contested, uncharged plot as an established deadly scheme and assumes the men will attempt it again.

    Bombers Free To Try Deadly Plot Again

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    anti-American terror plotMore neutral: suspected terror plot targeting the base

    Characterizes the alleged plot's motive as 'anti-American' before this has been established by investigators.

    An English farmer may have foiled an anti-American terror plot over the weekend, and according to President Donald Trump, the suspects…

    Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    blasted the lack of securityMore neutral: criticized the lack of security

    The verb 'blasted' frames the farmer's criticism with added drama rather than neutral description.

    …Iranian terror plot on a UK military base used by the US Air Force has blasted the lack of security there — while warning that several terrorists could still be on the run.

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    blasts securityMore neutral: criticizes security

    The verb 'blasts' adds dramatic judgment to what is a criticism, rather than neutrally reporting the farmer's complaint.

    Farmer who foiled suspected Iran terror plot on UK base blasts security — and fears several terrorists still free

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    several terrorists still freeMore neutral: several suspects possibly still at large

    The headline states as settled fact that unconfirmed suspects are terrorists still at large, when their status is still under investigation.

    …foiled suspected Iran terror plot on UK base blasts security — and fears several terrorists still free

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Vague attribution

    Public Demanding AnswersMore neutral: Questions Remain Unanswered

    Attributes demand for answers to an unnamed general public without specifying who is making the claim.

    RAF Fairford Plot, Day 2: Public Demanding Answers - Officials, Media Channel Norm MacDonald

    Used byHot Air (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    farmer heroineMore neutral: the farmer

    Casts the farmer in an admiring, heroic light rather than describing her role neutrally as a witness who reported suspicious activity.

    This farmer heroine, who wished to remain anonymous, told the press that she was driving to her…

    Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    Exposed Terror PlotMore neutral: Reported Suspected Plot

    Suggests the farmer actively uncovered and revealed a hidden plot rather than simply reporting suspicious activity to police.

    UK Farmer Who Exposed Terror Plot Near U.S.

    Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    vehemently deniedMore neutral: denied

    The intensifier “vehemently” adds dramatic emphasis to the denial rather than simply reporting that Iran denied the claim.

    Iran has vehemently denied its involvement in a thwarted terrorist attack after explosives were found near…

    Used byThe Hill (Center)

  • Absolutist framing

    thwarted terrorist attackMore neutral: suspected plot

    This presents as settled fact that a terrorist attack was planned and stopped, though police describe the men only as arrested on suspicion of preparing such an act.

    Iran has vehemently denied its involvement in a thwarted terrorist attack after explosives were found near a U.S.-operated air force base in England,…

    Used byThe Hill (Center)

  • Delegitimizing label

    lax justice systemsMore neutral: the justice system

    Dismisses the legal system as inadequate without supporting evidence.

    …can get pretty jaded in the news business, particularly where dealing with lax justice systems is concerned.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    would-be terroristsMore neutral: suspects

    Presumes guilt of a serious crime before any charges have been filed.

    …is one of those cases: Last week, we saw and reported on the arrests of five would-be terrorists who were allegedly plotting a scheme to attack the British Royal Air Force…

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    plans thwartedMore neutral: alleged plot under investigation

    Presents an unproven plot as a real scheme that was successfully stopped.

    They were caught, thanks to a sharp-eyed citizen, and their plans thwarted.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    OutrageousMore neutral: Controversial

    Injects the outlet’s own emotional judgment into the headline rather than describing the event neutrally.

    Outrageous: Five Fairford Terror Suspects Walk Free on Bail

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Dehumanizing label

    terrorists doing terrorist thingsMore neutral: acting suspiciously

    Labels unconvicted suspects as terrorists and dismisses their alleged actions rather than describing the observed conduct.

    …and then caught them in the act; instead, a local farmer saw a bunch of terrorists doing terrorist things.

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    Demonic TruthMore neutral: The Truth Behind

    Uses dramatic, moralizing language rather than a neutral description of the event.

    The Demonic Truth Behind Deadly Plot To Kill American Forces

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    Deadly PlotMore neutral: Suspected Plot

    Presents an alleged, still-under-investigation plot as a settled, deadly conspiracy.

    The Demonic Truth Behind Deadly Plot To Kill American Forces

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Delegitimizing label

    Islamist regimeMore neutral: the Iranian government

    Calling Iran's government a 'regime' frames it as illegitimate rather than using a neutral descriptor.

    Air Force base, including during Operation Epic Fury against the Islamist regime in Iran earlier this year.

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

  • Vague attribution

    'British Nationals'More neutral: British nationals

    The scare quotes around an official term imply doubt about the suspects' stated identity without offering evidence.

    …in Alleged Terror Plot on Air Force Base Released on Bail, All Said to Be 'British Nationals'

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

  • Vague attribution

    Questions swirlMore neutral: Questions remain

    The phrase suggests unresolved controversy without specifying who is raising the questions.

    WATCH: Questions swirl around foiled UK terror plot as suspects released on bail

    Used byThe Center Square (Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    5 Terror DetaineesMore neutral: 5 bomb plot suspects

    Labeling the men as 'terror detainees' presumes guilt before any charges or conviction.

    Breaking: UK Releases 5 Terror Detainees Arrested Near Air Base Used by US

    Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

  • Vague attribution

    Questions remainMore neutral: state the question and who is asking

    The writer is raising the question while pretending someone else did.

    Questions remain over Iran’s link to alleged RAF Fairford bomb plot

    Used byThe Guardian (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    left-wing British Foreign SecretaryMore neutral: British Foreign Secretary

    Inserts a partisan characterization of the official that is not necessary to the facts of the arrests and frames him negatively in context

    Just days after left-wing British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband shook hands with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s top…

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

  • Absolutist framing

    plot foiledMore neutral: suspected plot investigated

    Presents the existence and prevention of a plot as established fact when the incident was still under investigation and suspects were later released on bail

    Iran under scrutiny after plot foiled near UK base used by US military

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    bizarre twistMore neutral: new development

    Adds dramatic characterization to the development rather than stating the fact plainly

    Alleged terror plot at US air base in UK takes bizarre twist — as suspects are released on bail

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Sensational language

    unfathomableMore neutral: unusual

    Editorializes about the bail decision rather than describing it neutrally

    This story falls into the category of the unfathomable, especially in the U.K., where terror suspects are not afforded the same…

    Used byTownhall (Far Right)

  • Partisan shorthand

    make a Gen Z leftist have a strokeMore neutral: seem lenient to some observers

    Uses a partisan caricature to mock a political group rather than describe the legal system neutrally

    UK detention laws would make a Gen Z leftist have a stroke, but the five suspects caught outside RAF Fairford, a base used by…

    Used byTownhall (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    special treatmentMore neutral: were granted bail

    Implies favoritism without evidence, prejudging the legal process

    …a base used by American forces to conduct Iranian airstrikes, received special treatment: they were granted bail.

    Used byTownhall (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    terrorist suspectsMore neutral: terror suspects

    Labeling unconvicted suspects as ‘terrorist’ presumes guilt before any trial.

    President Donald Trump voiced his displeasure with London after five terrorist suspects were released on bail on Monday.

    Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    lavished praiseMore neutral: praised

    ‘Lavished’ exaggerates the degree of praise, adding a subjective flourish beyond neutral description.

    Trump had lavished praise on London just the day before over their swift handling of the matter, which saw…

    Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    Trump hits UKMore neutral: Trump criticizes UK

    “Hits” implies a forceful attack rather than a simple expression of disagreement, adding drama beyond the facts.

    Trump hits UK for releasing terrorism suspects on bail: ‘I wouldn’t have done that’

    Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

  • Sensational language

    stunning newsMore neutral: comments

    Uses hyperbolic language to characterize a routine official statement.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio has some stunning news to share about the RAF Fairford incident.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    That's shocking, given the reports.More neutral: The release drew scrutiny given the earlier reports.

    Editorializes about the suspects’ release rather than reporting it neutrally.

    That's shocking, given the reports.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    vigilant villagerMore neutral: the woman who reported the incident

    Praises the farmer with a laudatory label rather than a neutral descriptor before her account has been fully verified.

    Had she not tipped off police, the vigilant villager believes the five men arrested on terror offences would not have been…

    Used byThe Guardian (Left)

  • Sensational language

    drawing a sharp responseMore neutral: prompting criticism

    Adds dramatic framing to Trump's reaction beyond a neutral description of criticism.

    …arrested near a British air base used by American bombers are out on bail, drawing a sharp response from President Trump.

    Used byCBN News (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    thwarted terror plotMore neutral: suspected plot that was disrupted

    Presents the plot and its thwarting as established fact rather than an ongoing investigation.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed a "foreign actor" was behind the thwarted terror plot near RAF Fairford, warning of repercussions tied to Iran.

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

  • Loaded modifier

    terror plotMore neutral: suspected plot

    Describes an unconfirmed, still-investigated incident as a settled ‘terror plot’ rather than a suspected or alleged one.

    Rubio confirms 'foreign actor' involved in UK terror plot

    Used byFox News (Far Right)

  • Vague attribution

    raised questions and concern from manyMore neutral: raised questions, including from U.S. officials

    Attributes concern to an unspecified, unnamed group of people rather than naming who raised it

    …bomb plot targeting a U.S.-operated air force base in England has raised questions and concern from many, including U.S.

    Used byABC News (Left)

  • Sensational language

    mired in confusionMore neutral: remained unclear

    Adds dramatic framing to describe an unresolved investigation rather than stating facts plainly

    …UK probe into a suspected bomb plot at an airbase used by the United States was mired in confusion on Tuesday, after media reported no explosives were detected in vehicles seized…

    Used byFrance 24 (Center)

  • Sensational language

    scareMore neutral: incident

    Characterizes the incident with a dramatic label rather than describing it factually

    Mystery over UK airbase scare after reports no explosives found

    Used byFrance 24 (Center)

  • Sensational language

    triggered a whirlwind of dramatic eventsMore neutral: led to a rapid police response

    Adds dramatic flourish beyond a factual description of the events that unfolded.

    The call triggered a whirlwind of dramatic events; within 15 minutes, armed officers had swooped on the scene, and a…

    Used byAl Jazeera English (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    armed officers had swooped on the sceneMore neutral: armed officers arrived at the scene

    'Swooped' dramatizes the police response rather than neutrally describing their arrival.

    …call triggered a whirlwind of dramatic events; within 15 minutes, armed officers had swooped on the scene, and a major incident was declared at the nearby Royal Air Force…

    Used byAl Jazeera English (Left)

  • Vague attribution

    say analystsMore neutral: according to security analysts interviewed by Al Jazeera

    Attributes a significant claim about lack of terrorism evidence to unnamed 'analysts' without identifying them.

    Bail for RAF base suspects suggests no evidence of ‘terror’, say analysts

    Used byAl Jazeera English (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    scampering off into the woodsMore neutral: running into the woods

    The verb choice mocks the men's actions, adding a judgmental, cowardly connotation beyond a neutral description of them running.

    …'Middle Eastern-looking men,' some with faces swathed in balaclavas, scampering off into the woods.

    Used byHot Air (Far Right)

  • Delegitimizing label

    FolliesMore neutral: Developments

    The term frames the ongoing police investigation as a farce before facts are established, dismissing its seriousness.

    The RAF Fairford Follies, Day Three

    Used byHot Air (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    confusion shrouds the caseMore neutral: key details of the case remain unclear

    Dramatizes the state of the investigation rather than neutrally noting that details remain unclear.

    forces prompted stepped-up protections across Europe, but confusion shrouds the case, in which the suspects were released on bail.

    Used byThe New York Times (Left)

  • Sensational language

    Gets StrangerMore neutral: New details emerge

    The phrase manufactures drama around the story's developments rather than neutrally describing new information.

    Airbase 'Attack' Gets Stranger: Suspect Phoned Police on Himself

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    bustedMore neutral: arrested

    Informal slang for arrest implies guilt and adds drama beyond a neutral description.

    One of the men busted in a suspected terrorist plot at a UK military base used by the US Air Force for its…

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Sensational language

    bizarrelyMore neutral: reportedly

    The adverb editorializes the suspect's action as strange rather than simply reporting it.

    Suspect in feared terror plot on UK airbase bizarrely called cops on himself: report

    Used byNew York Post (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    Points Finger Straight AtMore neutral: Says Iran Played Role In

    Frames Burnham’s statement as an accusatory act rather than a reported statement.

    World Leader Points Finger Straight At Iran For Attack That Imperiled US Military

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Sensational language

    ImperiledMore neutral: Affected

    Adds dramatic weight to the described threat beyond what is established.

    World Leader Points Finger Straight At Iran For Attack That Imperiled US Military

    Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    admissionMore neutral: statement

    Characterizes an official statement as a confession implying prior wrongdoing or concealment.

    …happened." Exactly what happened, or was planned, we don't yet know, but Burnham's admission marks a change in his government's public posture.

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    DiscoversMore neutral: Says

    Implies the Prime Minister stumbled upon information rather than made an official statement, suggesting naivety or concealment.

    British PM Discovers the Iran Connection to RAF Fairford Everyone Was Told Not to Speculate About

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

Words quoted from someone else (8)Hide the quoted words

Loaded words that outlets reported someone else saying. They show what was said, not how the outlet chose to say it.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    massive terror attackMore neutral: attempted attack

    Describes an unconfirmed attempted plot as a certain 'massive' attack, exaggerating what has been officially confirmed.

    forces STOPPED a massive terror attack on RAF Fairford!

    Quoted byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    They Were Looking to Do Big DamageMore neutral: Trump comments on RAF Fairford arrests

    Presents an unconfirmed, dramatic characterization of the suspects' intent as the headline's main claim, even though it is a quote from Trump.

    Breaking: 'They Were Looking to Do Big Damage' - Trump Speaks Out on Terror Plot as Photo of Suspects Goes Viral

    Quoted byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    terrorist attackMore neutral: attempted terrorist act

    Presents an unconfirmed 'attempted terrorist act' as a definite attack, even though set off in quotes.

    Urgent warning issued for Americans in the UK after attempted 'terrorist attack' as citizens are told to 'exercise caution'

    Quoted byDaily Mail (Right)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    amazingMore neutral: successful

    Uses Trump's subjective praise as a headline descriptor, adding evaluative color rather than neutral description.

    Trump praises ‘amazing’ arrest of 5 terror suspects near U.K.

    Quoted byOne America News (Far Right)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

Show 4 more quoted phrasesShow fewer

  • Loaded verb

    Quoted

    looking to do big damageMore neutral: intended to target the facility

    This is a direct quotation attributed to Trump rather than the outlet's own characterization, but flagged because it is emphasized in the headline description as if fact.

    President Donald Trump says the suspects were “looking to do big damage” to the facility.

    Quoted byBloomberg (Left)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Delegitimizing label

    Quoted

    unfounded and malicious speculationsMore neutral: speculation the embassy disputes

    A strong dismissive characterization attributed to the Iranian Embassy rather than the outlet’s own reporting.

    The Iranian Embassy in London criticized 'unfounded and malicious speculations' linking Iran to the incident at the RAF Fairford airbase in England.

    Quoted byThe Epoch Times (Far Right)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Loaded verb

    Quoted

    HoaxMore neutral: Denies Report

    Presents Trump's disputed characterization of the report as a settled fact-label in the headline rather than an attributed claim.

    UK Frees Air Base Terror Suspects on Bail as Trump Denies 'Hoax' Report on Iran Deal

    Quoted byCBN News (Far Right)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

  • Sensational language

    Quoted

    terror plotMore neutral: security incident

    Presents a contested characterization of the incident as settled rather than attributed terminology.

    Iran is behind ‘terror plot’ at US bomber base in in UK, British leader says

    Quoted byNew York Post (Right)

    Inside a quotation: the outlets are reporting someone else’s words.

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

12 outlets

Leads with

  • evacuation of homes
  • arrests under explosives act
  • base used by US air force

Leaves out

  • use of base for recent Iran strikes
  • possible terrorism motive

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 15 headlines from the leftHide the headlines

From the center

12 outlets

Leads with

  • evacuation and cordon
  • arrests over suspected explosives
  • base's use against Iran
  • bomb disposal activity
See the 13 headlines from the centerHide the headlines

From the right

17 outlets · 1 opinion

Leads with

  • evacuation and arrests
  • base's use for bomber missions against Iran
  • possible terrorist attack (Daily Wire)

Leaves out

  • bomb disposal teams checking vehicles

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 22 headlines from the rightHide the headlines

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    7 min later

    Its first report, Sep 27, 4:10 AM EDT

  • Center

    First to report

    BBC News, Sep 27, 4:03 AM EDT

  • Right

    10 min later

    Its first report, Sep 27, 4:13 AM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. BBC NewsCenterSep 27, 4:03 AM EDT
  2. The GuardianLeftSep 27, 4:10 AM EDT
  3. New York PostRightSep 27, 4:13 AM EDT
  4. ABC NewsLeftSep 27, 4:24 AM EDT
  5. BloombergLeftSep 27, 4:27 AM EDT
  6. Al Jazeera EnglishLeftSep 27, 4:59 AM EDT
  7. France 24CenterSep 27, 5:05 AM EDT
  8. Deutsche WelleCenterSep 27, 5:14 AM EDT
  9. NBC NewsLeftSep 27, 5:17 AM EDT
  10. CBS NewsLeftSep 27, 5:29 AM EDT
  11. The New York TimesLeftSep 27, 6:49 AM EDT
  12. NPRLeftSep 27, 6:49 AM EDT
  13. Breitbart NewsFar RightSep 27, 6:56 AM EDT
  14. The Daily WireFar RightSep 27, 7:07 AM EDT
  15. Financial TimesCenterSep 27, 7:10 AM EDT
  16. Fox NewsFar RightSep 27, 7:40 AM EDT
  17. The Washington TimesRightSep 27, 7:41 AM EDT
  18. Washington ExaminerRightSep 27, 9:22 AM EDT
  19. RedStateFar RightSep 27, 9:53 AM EDT
  20. TownhallFar RightSep 27, 10:00 AM EDT
  21. AxiosCenterSep 27, 10:10 AM EDT
  22. TIMELeftSep 27, 10:19 AM EDT
  23. PJ MediaFar RightSep 27, 10:37 AM EDT
  24. PBS NewsHourCenterSep 27, 11:02 AM EDT
  25. Straight Arrow NewsCenterSep 27, 11:03 AM EDT
  26. The Western JournalFar RightSep 27, 11:27 AM EDT
  27. The Christian Science MonitorCenterSep 27, 12:02 PM EDT
  28. The Washington PostLeftSep 27, 1:03 PM EDT
  29. The HillCenterSep 27, 1:54 PM EDT
  30. Daily MailRightSep 27, 3:59 PM EDT
  31. SalonFar LeftSep 27, 4:42 PM EDT
  32. One America NewsFar RightSep 27, 4:56 PM EDT
  33. CBN NewsFar RightSep 27, 7:17 PM EDT
  34. CNBCCenterSep 28, 3:30 AM EDT
  35. The IndependentLeftSep 28, 4:39 AM EDT
  36. SemaforCenterSep 28, 6:41 AM EDT
  37. TheBlazeFar RightSep 28, 9:00 AM EDT
  38. The Epoch TimesFar RightSep 28, 11:16 AM EDT
  39. The Center SquareRightSep 28, 12:56 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out. Just the News, Sky News gave only a date, so they are not placed.

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