By Newstake · Updated
How can I check whether a news source is trustworthy?
Check who made the claim and what backs it up. A familiar name can be wrong; an official statement can leave things out. Focus on the claim you need to verify.
Photo by @priscilladupreez on Unsplash
- Identity
Who is making this claim?
- Evidence
What supports it?
- Context
What might change its meaning?
Make sure the source is real
Follow links from the organization’s official website. Check the domain and the named author. A convincing logo or account name is not enough.
Once you know who is speaking, ask what they stand to gain. That helps you read their account with the right questions in mind.
Ask what the evidence shows
A company says a machine uses half as much energy. Compared with what? Under which conditions? Look for the test or data behind the figure.
Three sites copying one release still give you one source. Find an independent account when the claim matters to a decision.
Make your conclusion easy to check
Keep the claim, the original link and the qualification that matters. If the evidence is missing, say what you could not establish.
Apply this to Newstake too. We help you find direct publications, but our selection and generated descriptions can miss things. Read the original before quoting it.
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