Not so many years ago, shoppers at the local grocery store were enticed by sensational headlines on the front pages of tabloids intentionally placed in front of the check out stand. Back then, we knew these were stories which may have had a hint of truth, but were mostly embellished.
Today, anyone can create a TikTok or social media post and creatively recite or regurgitate what they say is the news of the day. While some of these are accurate and come from reputable sources, many of them are not accurate. In fact, they are intentionally created to redirect attention and facts. The problem is that the public is buying into much of the nonsense they cite.
In order to help readers understand credible sources, The News Literacy Project and Trusting News has created a checklist. The checklist is a series of questions to help the public assess the credibility and accuracy of content they are seeing from independent creators online.
The guidelines and signals that are included in the checklist are based on some of the most basic tenets of journalists’ ethics, but the focus is on how these ethics and practices often appear in independent creator journalists’ work. Trusting News states that while it is created with school-aged teens and parents in mind, it is really relevant to any news consumer.
It covers the basics, like:
• Are they citing sources?
• Are they corroborating information from multiple credible sources?
• Are they publicly correcting mistakes?
• Are they clear about their funding and how they make money?
• Is it clear that their goal is to inform? The following is a more detailed explanation. 1. Do they cite their sources? Some online personalities do their own reporting while others aggregate content, meaning they gather information from other reputable sources and news sites and share summaries of the news. Both are valid ways to report the news. But either way, credible creators will be clear about where they get their facts. That might mean naming or showing the news outlet where they got the information, or giving the name and credentials of people interviewed in a story.
• Sophia Smith Galer includes screenshots of the sources where she gets information in her video and includes a list in the caption as well.
2. Do they use multiple sources? Sometimes people will report stories and base the whole story on a single anecdote, or they will simply report what one institution says. Look for creators and influencers who draw from multiple reputable institutions or people. Look to see if they include multiple perspectives or context as to what people with different beliefs or expertise are saying.
• When reporting on the killing of Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti, PolitiFact shares the Federal Government’s response and also shares that the news analysis of the video does not match the government’s reporting.
3. When they make a mistake, do they publicly correct it? Everyone makes mistakes, sometimes even well-known journalists. But when errors happen, or information needs an update, credible informers should publicly acknowledge the mistake and correct it.
• Isaac Saul, who runs the Tangle News newsletter, puts corrections at the top of his daily newsletter. The Newcastle Pacer places corrections consistently on the Opinion page.
4. Do they talk about how they make money? Many people are skeptical about whether online content is authentic —or just a marketing ploy. While many creators rely on advertisements and sponsorships to stay in business, credible creators should get clear about these funding sources and share any potential conflicts of interest. On a basic level, this looks like disclosing ads, gifts and sponsorships. But it could also look like creator journalists sharing more details about how they are funded and how they maintain independence in their reporting.
• One example is of Becca Farsace, who adds a quick disclaimer when she’s promoting a product from someone who sponsors her work.
5. Is it clear that their goal is to inform? Or does it seem like they have another agenda or motive behind their coverage? Some online creators don’t have good intentions and are trying to persuade you of a certain viewpoint — or spread misinformation. Less credible informers might focus on one angle or side, while ignoring or misrepresenting other perspectives. Credible creators will be clear that their purpose is to share responsible information with their communities, even if they do so through a certain point of view.
• Example — In a TikTok video: Lisa Remillard shares details about a DHS funding bill, including the impact of the bill and how people can have their voice heard no matter how they feel about it.
More tips for navigating information
• Check if an image of video has been manipulated by doing a quick reverse image search or checking to see if RumorGuard has debunked it.
• Do a quick Google search of the account or person’s name, or the news event itself, to make sure no red flags pop up showing they are unreliable or sharing misinformation.
• Watch for dangerous, offensive and malicious content, that include discriminatory language, unverified pseudoscience, or content that promotes violence.
