Factual data and justified conclusions should be the norm for news reporting. The New York Times claims that they go after this norm, but an op-ed video in July casts doubt on their standard for truthfulness.
A big point was apparently to reveal that America's poor are similar (by percent of the population and living conditions) to the poor of, say, Mexico. But World Bank data reports that 35% of Mexico's people live on less than $5.50/day while only 2% of Americans do.
Also, their data on the material resources of Americans doesn't count welfare programs, rent assistance, food stamps, free health care, etc. - all of which greatly benefit the poor, and should have been considered.
"The poorest 20% of Americans are richer on average than [even] most nations of Europe," when it comes to their material well-being. Why would someone misrepresent this? Their claims are implausible.
From JustFacts: "The Poorest 20% of Americans Are Richer on Average Than Most Nations of Europe"
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