British couple sentenced to 10 years in Iran on espionage charges after 13-month detention

The US Sun Right

Starmer blasted for failing to stop Brit couple being thrown into Iran jail

By Nick Parker · 11h ago

Bias Score

78%

Headline Bait

65%

Highly partisan coverage that uses this story as a vehicle to attack the Labour government and Prime Minister Starmer specifically. Loaded language ('hellhole,' 'rogue state,' 'rats and violent cut-throats,' 'snatched,' 'languishing') frames the story as government failure rather than Iranian conduct. Asymmetric sourcing privileges Conservative opposition critics while offering no government rebuttal.

The Telegraph Center

British tourists accused of spying in Iran jailed for 10 years

15h ago

Bias Score

28%

Headline Bait

55%

The headline introduces a notable framing problem: 'accused of spying...while posing as tourists' implies the espionage allegation has some basis, which the article's own content does not support — the couple denies the charges and no evidence has been presented. The article body is otherwise factual and balanced.

Daily Mail Center-Left

10-year sentence for British couple accused of 'spying' in Iran

By Eleanor Mann · 10h ago

Bias Score

25%

Headline Bait

15%

Solid factual reporting with good use of direct quotes. Includes useful context about the Ratcliffe campaign and prior detainees. The framing is sympathetic but grounded in facts. Emotional quotes from Craig about his wife are included but clearly attributed and genuinely newsworthy.

UPI Center

British couple handed 10 year sentence in Iran on spying charges - UPI.com

9h ago

Bias Score

22%

Headline Bait

10%

Thorough, well-sourced report including family statements, government response, historical context about Iran's hostage-taking pattern, and the 2022 arms deal precedent. Minor loaded language ('notorious Evin prison') but overall balanced and informative. The most contextually complete article in the set.

South China Morning Post Center

Iran sentences British world travellers to 10 years for spying

By Agence France-Presse · 13h ago

Bias Score

20%

Headline Bait

12%

Brief, factual summary hitting key facts without distortion. 'Hit out' is mildly loaded but common journalistic shorthand. No significant framing issues. Very short and lacking context but not misleading.

BBC News Center

Lindsay Foreman speaks to the BBC before sentencing

9h ago

Bias Score

18%

Headline Bait

12%

Brief, factual article focused on Lindsay Foreman's phone call before sentencing. Minimal editorializing, accurate framing. The focus on one spouse's emotional experience is narrow but not distorting — it is a genuine first-person account.

Bloomberg Center

UK Calls Iran's 10-Year Sentence for British Couple 'Totally Unjustifiable'

14h ago

Bias Score

18%

Headline Bait

15%

Solid factual reporting with appropriate sourcing. Includes emotional quotes from Craig Foreman that are relevant and newsworthy. The Ratcliffe campaign context adds useful background. No notable framing distortions — a clean, balanced account.

The Independent Center

British couple on motorcycle tour jailed for 10 years in Iran

By Jessica Coates · 14h ago

Bias Score

17%

Headline Bait

12%

Very similar to other standard news reports on this story. Accurate, factual, appropriately sourced. Emotional quotes are clearly attributed. The article lacks context about Iran's broader detention pattern but does not distort what it does include.

The Guardian Center

Jail sentence for British couple in Iran 'totally unjustifiable', says foreign secretary

14h ago

Bias Score

16%

Headline Bait

12%

Factual and well-structured. Includes Lindsay's quote about her 'global initiative to focus on the good,' which some outlets omit, adding texture to who the couple is. Anoosheh Ashoori is correctly identified as a British-Iranian imprisoned for five years, providing useful context missing from most articles.

Reuters Center

UK condemns 10-year sentence for British couple in Iran

By Reuters · 13h ago

Bias Score

15%

Headline Bait

10%

Clean, straightforward wire-service report. Includes key facts: arrest date, trial date, conditions, government response, and Iran's stated position that detentions involved 'legitimate security concerns' — the only article to include Tehran's counter-framing. Minimal editorializing.

U.S. News & World Report Center

UK Condemns 10-Year Sentence for British Couple in Iran

By Reuters · 14h ago

Bias Score

14%

Headline Bait

10%

Very brief wire report, factually accurate, minimal framing. Provides only the essential facts: sentence, charges, government condemnation, and son's statement. Lacks context but does not distort. Suitable for a breaking news brief.