Evaluating Journalism & News Sources
Sometimes it's difficult to determine whether the information presented via a news outlet is credible or not. Oesterle Librarians, in collaboration with Dr. Amy Grim Buxbaum, Associate Professor of Communication, and Dr. Stephen Maynard Caliendo, Professor of Political Science, offer the below resources and criteria for evaluating journalistic sources.
To determine the level of bias of sources (strength of identification with a political agenda), you may also visit the following websites:
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AllSidesAllSides presents users with news sources across the political spectrum side-by-side with the goal of helping readers see a fuller, less biased picture of current issues.
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Ground.NewsProvides information about the political leaning of news sources.
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Ad Fontes Media - Individual News SourceSearch by news source or publisher to view a report on the bias and reliability of that source, according to research completed by Ad Fontes.
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Media Bias / Fact CheckThis independent website compiles information on the political bias and credibility of news sources, and provides examples of articles that support their decision.
Web Literacy and Online Fact Checking eBook
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Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers, by Michael A. Caulfield, Director of Blended and Networked Learning, Washington State University-VancouverCaulfield wrote this book, stressing the importance of learning to fact-check online claims, because, "Users are presented with hundreds of headlines and statements a day through social media, and asked to retweet or share that information with little or no background. Students need skills that help them to get closer to the truth in between the few minutes between when they see something and when they decide to share it."
Criteria for Evaluating Journalism
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Six questions that will tell you what media to trust by Tom RosenstielThe American Press Institute (API) provides six essential questions to ask when interacting with media.
Type
What kind of content is this?
The format of the information (editorial, news story, opinion piece, advertisement, etc.) and who it was created is important information when evaluating journalism. You may need to look up information on the author or organization to learn more.
Source
Who are the sources cited and why should I believe them?
Who or what is the author citing as a source of information? Consider the authority or credentials of the source, including outside experts or publishers of studies or statistics.
Evidence
What is the evidence and how was it vetted?
How did the journalist vet, or verify, the evidence presented by the sources? More credible authors will explicitly describe their method for verifying the information they present to support their point.
Interpretation
Is the main point of the piece proven by the evidence?
If the source is built around an idea or a main point, consider whether the conclusions offered by the author are supported by the evidence presented. Remember that correlation (two things happening together or in sequence) does not equal causation (one thing causing another). Quality sources will spend time discussing multiple sides of an issue and noting any gaps in knowledge before making a claim or argument.
Completeness
What is missing?
What questions do you have after reading the source? Did anything seem to be missing?
Knowledge
Am I learning what I need?
After reading the source, could you describe the issue to someone? Do you feel like you understand multiple sides of the issue? What else do you want to learn, and where could you go to learn it?
This information was adapted from Rosenstiel's 2013 article, "Six questions that will tell you what media to trust," linked above.
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American Press Institute (API): The Elements of JournalismThe API conducts research, training, convenes thought leaders and creates tools to help chart a path ahead for journalism in the 21st century.
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National Public Radio (NPR) Ethics HandbookWritten for NPR journalists, this handbook provides a thorough overview of journalism principles.
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Library of Congress: Teacher's Guide: Analyzing NewspapersDesigned as a resources for teachers, this handout is also useful to individuals who are interested in analyzing journalism sources, specifically newspapers.
