Resources

The Help Desk

Becoming a more discerning consumer of news and information in the age of AI, and rampant disinformation and misinformation isn’t easy! We’re here to help! Check out the links below to find support and useful information!

REAL News Sources You Can Trust

The line between real news and commentary or opinion has become blurred over the past many years. So when it comes to finding out the facts of an important or unfolding story, you want to be sure you include at least two or three INDEPENDENT news sources. Why? Independent news outlets are not beholden to corporate interests, lobbyists, or political party. They are largely funded by public donations, and their reporting bound by a specific journalistic code of ethics. The Society of Professional Journalists believes that at its foundation, ethical journalism should stand on the following four principles: (1) Accuracy and fairness in reporting; Therefore, journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information; (2) Minimize harm when reporting by treating sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect; (3) Act independently, as the highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public, not corporate, political or self interest; and (4) Accountability and transparency in reporting, which requires taking responsibility for one’s work, and may include providing explanations for ethical choices and processes to audiences. It may also include encouraging civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content. And when mistakes are made, that they are corrected promptly and publically. In addition to abiding by the principles of the Code of Ethics, independent news agencies report on their firsthand observations and those of eyewitnesses, and confirm facts. They will leave out personal feelings or opinions from their reporting. Understanding the distinctly different purposes and standards followed by both professional independent journalists and those medial personalities providing opinion and commentary (frequently advertised as “news”) is key to becoming a more discerning consumber of news and information. PROFESSIONAL INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM Purpose: To inform the public about current events with factual accuracy and objectivity. Content: Report on WHO, WHAT, WHERE and WHY without expressing personal opinion. Style: Neutral language, multiple/reliable sources, and balanced coverage. Ethics: Adheres to a strict code of ethics, including fact-checking, sources verification, and avoiding personal bias. Yellowbrick Audience role: The audience is expected to form their own opinions based on presented facts. OPINION COMMENTARY PIECES (Be aware: sometimes promoted as “News”) Purpose: To express a personal viewpoint, analysis, or interpretation of events. Content: Presents a clear stance on a topic, often with persuasive intent. May include selective sourcing to support the argument or expressed opinion. Style: Persuasive language, first-person pronoun’s (“I”), emotional appeals, and rhetorical devices. Formats: Editorials (official board position), op-eds (outside contributors), columns, letters to the editor. Journalism University Audience role: The audience is invited to consider the presenter/commentator’s perspective. The piece is not meant to be a neutral report but rather intended to be persuasive. The following is a partial list of news agencies that meet the criteria of an ETHICAL independent news agency, as previously described:

Associated Press (AP) News without an agenda. AP is a not-for-profit organization with no corporate parent, no shareholders and no government influence. AP states its mission is journalism, not profit margins. Donations support independent reporting that serves the public interest, not corporate shareholders.

Ground News is here to help when you need to see every side of a news story, uncover bias, and separate fact from fiction. It was created to offer clarity in an increasingly chaotic media landscape. Its mission is to well inform the world by empowering readers to think freely about the issues of our time. Ground News reports its aim is to contribute to an enviornment where positive coexistence, critical thought, and cooperative, civil debate become the norm, and media sources are held accountable. Reportedly, Ground News processes nearly 60,000 news articles from over 50,000 different news sources daily. Articles from different outlets (covering the same event) are merged into a single story, making it possible to get multiple perspectives in one place. The Ground News team is based in Kitchener, Canada, and is made up of a small team of media industry outsiders. They are reportedly not funded by a media company, big tech, government affiliations nor institutional investors. They instead are supported by subscribers and a small group of individual investors who care about ethical journalism, and presenting fair, accurate and balanced reporting. The Ground News rating system adds context and transparency to every news story. Readers from all walks of life can conveniently identify media bias, check source credibility, and view ownership data for news outlets around the world The bias and factuality ratings are determined using three independent news monitoring organizations: AllSides, Ad Fontes Media, and Media Bias Fact Check. The ownership categories were researched and developed by Ground News.

Reuters Reuter’s stands on its Trust Principles of integrity, independence, and unbiased reporting to deliver world-class journalism in real time.

The Canadian Press (CP) Established in 1917, when it was created by an act of Parliament as a news co-operative, largely driven by the need to inform Canadians abou the war in Europe. Although evolving over the years, the principles that guide its work continue to include fair and honest reporting, supported by demonstratable facts, and sources that are proven reliable and responsible. And, if a mistake is identified, it is corrected immediately.

National Public Radio (NPR) is an American public broadcasting organization, and was founded on February 26, 1970, following the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. It was to proivde programming for noncommerical and educational radio stations. NPR operates independently of governemnt or corportate control and is funded through member station fees, corporate underwriting, and donations. Rated as reliable by multiple media evaluation organizations. Biasly gives NPR a “Good” reliablitiltiy rating, noting that it is widely trusted in thre United States and benefits from a repuation for accurate reporting, partly due to its nonprofit stauts and public funding structure. And, if a mistake is identified, it is corrected immediately.

Biasly Founded in 2017 after identifiying a growing need to bring public awareness to media biases found in political news. Biasly is committed to teaching media literacy with the aim to better educate and empower new generations against political biases. Biasly utilizes a Bias Meter which reportedly is capable of scanning hundreds of articles daily to determine policial bias that is utililzing artifical intelligence (AI). According ot Biasly, the Bias Meter uses a complex algorithm that is trained to identify certain componenets of an aricle such as tone, language, and an absence of inherent human biases. Additionally, its bias rating method includes a seven metrics methodolgy and three team members (one left-leaning, one moderate, and one right-leaning) as analysts. Each score article content accordingly. Biasly claims to combine advanced algorithms with human oversight to ensure accuracy and fairness. These scores are then averaged into one composite bias score.

Additional Resources Snopes Founded in 1994, investigating urban legends, hoaxes and folklore, Snopes has grown over the years, along with the demand for relaiable online fact-checking, into becoming the oldest and largest fact- checking site online. It is also widely regarded by journalists, folklorists, and readers as an invaluable research companion. Snopes. com is an independent publication, owned and operated under “Snopes, Inc.” which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of “Snopes Media Group, Inc.” (SMG), SMG is owned by Chris Richmond (60%) and Drew Schoentrup (40%). Snopes is also a member of the International Fact-Checking Network, complying with that organization’s high ethical and editorial standards around combating misinformation online.

The Only Evidence.NEWS monthly newsletter! Stay informed of new Videos and Podcast Episode Uploads, News Updates, Special Announcements, and Upcoming Events by subscribing today!

Resources

The Help Desk

REAL News Sources You

Can Trust

The line between real news and commentary or opinion has become blurred over the past many years. So when it comes to finding out the facts of an important or unfolding story, you want to be sure you include at least two or three INDEPENDENT news sources. Why? Independent news outlets are not beholden to corporate interests, lobbyists, or political party. They are largely funded by public donations, and their reporting bound by a specific journalistic code of ethics. The Society of Professional Journalists believes that at its foundation, ethical journalism should stand on the following four principles: (1) Accuracy and fairness in reporting; Therefore, journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information; (2) Minimize harm when reporting by treating sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect; (3) Act independently, as the highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public, not corporate, political or self interest; and (4) Accountability and transparency in reporting, which requires taking responsibility for one’s work, and may include providing explanations for ethical choices and processes to audiences. It may also include encouraging civil dialogue with the public about journalistic practices, coverage and news content. And when mistakes are made, that they are corrected promptly and publically. In addition to abiding by the principles of the Code of Ethics, independent news agencies report on their firsthand observations and those of eyewitnesses, and confirm facts. They will leave out personal feelings or opinions from their reporting. Understanding the distinctly different purposes and standards followed by both professional independent journalists and those medial personalities providing opinion and commentary (frequently advertised as “news”) is key to becoming a more discerning consumber of news and information. PROFESSIONAL INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM Purpose: To inform the public about current events with factual accuracy and objectivity. Content: Report on WHO, WHAT, WHERE and WHY without expressing personal opinion. Style: Neutral language, multiple/reliable sources, and balanced coverage. Ethics: Adheres to a strict code of ethics, including fact- checking, sources verification, and avoiding personal bias. Yellowbrick Audience role: The audience is expected to form their own opinions based on presented facts. OPINION COMMENTARY PIECES (Be aware: sometimes promoted as “News”) Purpose: To express a personal viewpoint, analysis, or interpretation of events. Content: Presents a clear stance on a topic, often with persuasive intent. May include selective sourcing to support the argument or expressed opinion. Style: Persuasive language, first-person pronoun’s (“I”), emotional appeals, and rhetorical devices. Formats: Editorials (official board position), op-eds (outside contributors), columns, letters to the editor. Journalism University Audience role: The audience is invited to consider the presenter/commentator’s perspective. The piece is not meant to be a neutral report but rather intended to be persuasive. The following is a partial list of news agencies that meet the criteria of an ETHICAL independent news agency, as previously described:

Reuters Reuter’s stands on its Trust Principles of integrity, independence, and unbiased reporting to deliver world-class journalism in real time.

The Canadian Press (CP) Established in 1917, when it was created by an act of Parliament as a news co- operative, largely driven by the need to inform Canadians abou the war in Europe. Although evolving over the years, the principles that guide its work continue to include fair and honest reporting, supported by demonstratable facts, and sources that are proven reliable and responsible. And, if a mistake is identified, it is corrected immediately.

Additional Resources Snopes Founded in 1994, investigating urban legends, hoaxes and folklore, Snopes has grown over the years, along with the demand for relaiable online fact-checking, into becoming the oldest and largest fact-checking site online. It is also widely regarded by journalists, folklorists, and readers as an invaluable research companion. Snopes. com is an independent publication, owned and operated under “Snopes, Inc.” which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of “Snopes Media Group, Inc.” (SMG), SMG is owned by Chris Richmond (60%) and Drew Schoentrup (40%). Snopes is also a member of the International Fact-Checking Network, complying with that organization’s high ethical and editorial standards around combating misinformation online.

The Only Evidence.NEWS monthly newsletter! Stay informed of new Videos and Podcast Episode Uploads, News Updates, Special Announcements, and Upcoming Events by subscribing today!