5 Tools to Find and Vet Accurate News
Learning about the news that impacts our country and our world is an important part of what it means to be an informed citizen. It’s how we track the issues that matter to us and shape the national conversation. But how do we make sure we’re getting the right information? How do we cut through the noise, ensure our news is accurate, and dig deeper on the topics we care about?
Courtesy of the News Literacy Project, we’re bringing you a few of the tips and tools you can use to test – and strengthen – your skills.
Breaking News Checklist
When information is just starting to break through, you need to be extra careful about what you’re seeing and reading. Here are six clear and important places to start:
Minding the gap between what the public wants to know and verified information
Watching out for bad actors
Doing a quick search to defend against misinformation
Looking for evidence that backs up bold claims
Seeking credible sources instead of social media chatter
Practicing patience while waiting for updates from quality journalism
Data in the Media
We like to say that numbers don’t lie – but the truth is that numbers can be misleading. Statistics and data are important to backing up arguments, but they can also be used, abused, and manipulated to show results that aren’t exactly true. That’s why it’s important to think about the context around data, engage in critical thinking, and ask questions about the numbers you see.
Levels of Scientific Evidence
As the News Literacy Project says, not all evidence is created equal – and bad actors often use weak scientific evidence to push misinformation. Understanding the levels of scientific evidence from expert opinions to case-control studies to systematic reviews can help you determine whether the “evidence” you’re reading is actually strong, or whether there’s more to the story.
Confirmation Bias
We all like to be right. That means we’re more likely to believe information that seems to confirm our existing beliefs – even when that information isn’t so solid. But if we really want to find out the truth about the world around us, we need to be willing to recognize our biases and seek out information from diverse, credible sources that don’t just tell us what we want to hear.
Tips for Googling
The internet is an incredible resource, but it’s also incredibly large and complex. If we don’t use it the right way, it can be almost impossible to find the accurate information we need. The News Literacy Project’s Eight Tips to Google Like a Pro offer helpful, easy ways to make googling more productive and more precise.
Learn more: You can find the full range of tools at the News Literacy Project’s website here.
