What does real news look like?
Real News
Dedicated journalists and reporters take their job very seriously, and will adhere to certain guidelines, such as the AP Stylebook or the Reuters Handbook of Journalism.
The Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics states:
Seek truth and report it
Minimize harm
Act independently
Be accountable and transparent
According to Pew Research and other polls, these are some of the most trusted news sources in the United States:
Many news outlets around the world also rely on the Associated Press (AP) and Reuters for content.
International News
Trusted international news outlets can be a great way to learn about outside perspectives on your own country and politics. Readers may also seek out international news when they are concerned about press freedom in their own country.
Important! Fake News is NOT:
Anonymous Sources: Sometimes, people may have information that the public should know, but cannot share the information publicly. Reputable news sources have policies about using anonymous sources, such as requiring that journalists independently verify the information.
Op-Eds or Opinion pieces: Many reliable news outlets will publish opinion articles, however these opinions are not presented as fact and are clearly identified as the opinions of that individual.
News Stories on Unverified Reports: If a government agent, for example, releases a report that contains unverified information, news agencies write about the report and details surrounding it. While the information in the report may or may not be true, if the report has been released, it is likely newsworthy.
Reporting on Hacked Information: A respectable news agency would never hack into a person's private communications or otherwise violate someone's privacy. However, if hacked information is released, news agencies will report on that information, if it is relevant to public interest.
Resources
Unlike regular news services, AllSides exposes bias and provides multiple angles on the same story so you can quickly get the full picture, not just one slant.
Resources from the Stony Brook University School of Journalism.
Research on journalism and media from the Pew Research Center.
A weekly program from Al Jazeera that examines and dissects the world's media, how they operate and the stories they cover.
Museum in Washington, D.C. which aims to promote, explain and defend free expression and the five freedoms of the First Amendment: religion, speech, press, assembly and petition.
Educational resources from the Newseum in Washington, D.C.
An education nonprofit that works with educators and journalists to teach middle school and high school students how to sort fact from fiction in the digital age.
Skills and Strategies | Fake News vs. Real News: Determining the Reliability of Sources
Resource from The Learning Network: Teaching and Learning with The New York Times.
The Wall Street Journal Tackles Fake News in New Campaign
An ongoing video series by The Wall Street Journal profiles different journalists and showcases what it takes to report a big story.