An extension for finding unbiased related articles

Latest Version

Version
1.0.0
Update
September 25, 2021
Size
807KiB
Developer
Category
Users
3
Rating
4 ★
Manifest Version
3
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English (United States)
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Permissions
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Middle Ground Extension

Reading the news is overwhelming in today's day and age, given the rise in fake news and clearly biased media sources, and our aim is to burst the bubbles that many of us find ourselves in. Media-consumers choose to stand behind specific outlets and decide which information they see as “true.” As it has many times in the past, today’s media takes advantage of this reality to forward their agendas.

MiddleGround is a browser extension and accompanying web application that helps news readers ascertain media bias and provides centrist and slightly left/right leaning related news articles to help users make their own educated opinions through a holistic lens.

People increasingly perceive the media as biased and struggle to identify objective news sources. They believe the media continue to have a critical role in maintaining a democracy but are not very positive about how the media are fulfilling that role, which is concerning.

When the media adopt loaded terminology, they help shape public opinion. Mass media frame the details of the story and communicate the social desirability of certain ideas, so users need to be aware of the power they have to exploit stories, and what the repercussions of that are. 


Once the user clicks on a news article and want to discern the media bias of the news outlet, they would then click on the MiddleGround extension button on the taskbar. The API that we have used for our product includes a variety of news outlets from across the world, mainly focusing on American and British sources. However, we eliminated all sources that lay on the far right or left to avoid encountering extreme language. We’re also looking to build a functionality that allows a small pop-up to hover around the MiddleGround extension icon, so that users can be reminded that they can refer to our product to get the information that they need. After clicking on the extension button, a pop up appears, where in a legend indicating what R, L, and C stand for, which are right, left, and center respectively. Below that, we have a list of the top 3 (fewer if our databases aren’t able to pull up 3) articles by other news outlets that are related to the one they’re currently reading, which they can click on to read. At the very bottom of the extension pop up is a View More button, which if clicked on, then leads our user to our web application. 
 
Once on our web application, our users have the opportunity to type in any keywords or news events that they're interested in reading more about. After the results are displayed, users have the option of filtering them out by their bias, popularity, or date published. Not only does this allow users to understand how different sides perceive events differently, but they can also assess how events have progressed through time with the time-specific filters. 


For support or general inquiries, please contact our product manager at [email protected]
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Source Manifest.json

{
"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx",
"description":"An extension for finding unbiased related articles",
"version":"1.0.0",
"manifest_version":3,
"name":"Middle Ground",
"action":{"default_popup":"popup.html",
"default_icon":"./resources/32.png"},
"permissions":[],
"host_permissions":[""],
"icons":{"16":"./resources/16.png",
"32":"./resources/32.png",
"128":"./resources/128.png"},
"content_scripts":[{"matches":[""],
"js":["contentScript.bundle.js"],
"css":["content.styles.css"]}],
"web_accessible_resources":[{"resources":["content.styles.css",
"128.png",
"32.png"],
"matches":[]}]}
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How to download and manually install Middle Ground extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install Middle Ground extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.

However, you may need to install Middle Ground extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Middle Ground extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download Middle Ground extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a Middle Ground extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.

Step 1: Download the Middle Ground Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the Middle Ground extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Middle Ground extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Middle Ground extension that contains all the data.

Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files

Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.

Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page

Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.

Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension

Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Middle Ground extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.

Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.

Method 2: Download Middle Ground extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install Middle Ground extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.

Step 1: Download the Middle Ground extension file

Select and download the Middle Ground extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents

Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Middle Ground extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Middle Ground extension running.

Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page

In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.

Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension

Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."

Step 6: Select the Extension Folder

Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Middle Ground extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.

Step 7: Confirm and Install

After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.

Conclusion

Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Middle Ground extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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User reviews

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a little gray (ID: 000000bb0d7d4e02) Voted 4 ★ - Updated 10/01/2021 the idea is great. could update a bit on design front. looking forward to new features and more site support!