Is ZDF a reliable source?

This is how independent third parties assess the credibility and media bias of this source.
OVERALL RATING:29 +, 3 -
    ZDF scores a total of 29 Plus Points and 3 Minus Points in our evaluation of journalistic quality.
    This corresponds to a score of 81* resp. the grade A- (very good).

    Grade Score
    very good A+ > 89
    A 89 - 84
    A- 83 - 79
    good B+ 78 - 74
    B 73 - 67
    B- 66 - 62
    satisfactory C+ 61 - 56
    C 55 - 49
    C- 48 - 44
    sufficient D+ 43 - 39
    D 38 - 32
    poor D- 31 - 26
    insufficient F < 26
    *: (29 + 5 BP) * 100 / (29 + 5 BP + 3 + 5 BP)
Grade composition
The overall rating is made up of the following individual ratings from independent third parties:
Media Bias/Fact Check18 +, 2 -
Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC) is an American fact-checking website founded in 2015. It uses a 0-10 scale to rate sites on two areas: bias and factual accuracy. A source rated by MBFC with minimal bias gets 10 plus points. Maximum bias gets 10 minus points. The same principle applies to factual accuracy.
Studies9 +, 1 -
Most scientific publications, though not all, rely on some form of peer review or editorial review to qualify texts for publication. Sources mentioned in studies which rate media quality and/or reliability receive between 10 plus and 10 minus points.
Journalism Awards2 +
Journalism prizes are awards for excellent journalistic work in the period covered by the call for entries, which is usually one or two years. Sources receive one plus point for each journalistic award won that we track. We currently track up to three prestigious awards per country.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia’s reliability was frequently criticized in the 2000s. However, various studies and media reports have noted improvements over time, and in the late 2010s and early 2020s, it was more often praised. In the scoring model, any positive mention of a source’s credibility or quality in a Wikipedia extract receives a plus point—while negative mentions are treated as minus points.
Fact Checkers
We primarily use fact-checkers affiliated with the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). We have linked to the International Fact-Checking Network fact-checkers' code of principles in the headline. For each failed fact-checker there is one minus point.
  • We have not identified any failed fact checks to date.
Press Council Rulings
Press councils are national institutions of media self-regulation. Press councils have their own defined press code. Reprimands are issued in the event of a violation of the press code (e.g. for truthfulness, diligence, sensationalism, separation of advertising and editorial, personal rights). For each reprimand issued by a national press council, a source receives one minus point.
  • We are not aware of any press council rulings against this source to date.
Ad Fontes Media
Ad Fontes Media, Inc. is a media watchdog organization based in Colorado that is best known for its Media Bias Chart, which ranks media sources based on political bias and reliability. We combine their ratings of individual articles and episodes to create a weighted average, with low-rated items increasingly weighted higher.
  • An Ad Fontes Media rating has not been found.
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