Is it VIAble?

Now, let's test out the VIAbility of a few different pieces of media.

Remember again, that for a piece of information to be news, it needs to have VIA:

• Subject to a journalistic process of VERIFICATION

• ...for which an INDEPENDENT individual or organization

• ...is directly ACCOUNTABLE

Ok, let's start...

Example 1 - Is Your Child Constantly Sick?

Assess the VIAbility of the following story:

After watching this video, ask yourself:

• How are the claims made in the story verified?

• Is the outlet presenting this story independent? How so?

• Is that outlet accountable for the information presented here? How could you hold them accountable?

See our thoughts on this video on the next page.

Example 2 - Less (Time) Is More

Assess the VIAbility of this piece of content.

(Note: this is a PDF copy of a story that comes from the Washington Post, just in case you may not be able to read it from the website. The original piece can be read here.)

After reading, ask yourself:

• Is it evident that the claims made here have attempted to be verified?

• Is the outlet an independent one?

• Is the outlet accountable for the information made in this piece? How would you know?

See our take on the next page.