How Do We Get Reliable Information?
Voters should use what they know to decide which candidates are best qualified to hold office. Voters need to evaluate candidates to determine who best represents their views and is most likely to fight for their needs. News organizations that practice professional journalism (gathering, writing, and publishing news stories in a variety of media platforms) are an important way people receive information about the government, policies, ballot measures, elections, and candidates. Through newspapers, TV, radio, and the internet, voters can learn about important issues and what candidates and elected officials think about these issues.
Even many well-educated people struggle to separate useful information from misinformation (false or misleading information). Media literacy can help students and voters build the critical thinking skills they need to weed out misinformation. Here are some tips for staying informed:
- When searching the internet or newspaper for information, you should consult and evaluate many different sources.
- Evaluating sources helps you identify credible and accurate information. You can evaluate a source by identifying who wrote it and where it came from.
- Ask questions about the source: Is this writer credible? Is this publication or website reputable?
- Analyzing words the author uses can give clues to their opinion. This is how you identify bias (someone’s natural tendency to favor or dislike something). People who can recognize bias are less likely to be misinformed.
Identifying bias can also help you differentiate journalism from political advertising. The purpose of journalism is to inform, while the purpose of political advertising is to persuade. Good journalism will present both sides of an issue fairly. Political advertising advocates on behalf of a candidate or cause and frequently presents a one-sided view. There are laws that require political ads to disclose who paid for them. If it’s a commercial, this information will typically come at the end. If it’s a mailer or pamphlet, look for the fine print at the bottom.
Voters who know how to find reliable sources can make informed decisions. They can identify candidates’ positions, experience, voting records, and claims. They can fill out their ballots with the confidence that they are voting for a qualified candidate who best aligns with their views and preferences.
As you discuss how to stay informed with students, ask them:
- How can you determine whether a source of information is reliable?
- Why does it matter whether you get information from reliable sources?
