Did you know? 62% of consumers can't reliably distinguish between quality journalism and misinformation. This guide will help you become part of the informed minority.
Core Journalism Principles
1. Truth & Accuracy
Journalists must:
- Verify information before publication
- Correct errors promptly and prominently
- Distinguish clearly between fact and opinion
2. Independence
Professional journalists:
- Avoid conflicts of interest
- Resist undue influence from advertisers or special interests
- Maintain editorial independence
3. Fairness & Impartiality
Quality reporting requires:
- Giving all relevant perspectives
- Avoiding stereotypes
- Separating news from commentary
4. Humanity
Ethical journalists:
- Respect privacy and dignity
- Show compassion for vulnerable subjects
- Consider the potential harm of publication
Evaluating News Sources
Credibility Checklist
Does the article cite authoritative sources?
Is the publication transparent about ownership?
Are corrections published when errors are found?
Does the headline match the story content?
Are multiple perspectives presented?
Red Flags of Misinformation
- Emotional language designed to provoke
- Anonymous sources without justification
- Lack of author byline or credentials
- Requests to share before verifying
Essential Glossary
Attribution: Identifying the source of information
Balance: Presenting multiple sides of a story
Corroboration: Verifying facts with multiple sources
Editorial: Opinion piece representing the publication's view
Fact-checking: Systematic verification of claims
Standards in Practice
Professional newsrooms implement these standards through:
- Multi-layer editorial review processes
- Clear ethics policies and training
- Ombudsman or public editor positions
- Transparent corrections policies