Accuracy of News

Goals

1. In the context of news, describe accuracy.
2. Get accurate news and communicate accurate news to others.

What

Communication is accurate when it describes things as they are—that is, when it presents a correct view of reality.

With respect to news:

• A news item is accurate if it provides a verifiable, fact-based, and unbiased account of events. This means that it:
  • Is supported by credible sources or direct evidence.
  • Reflects what actually occurred rather than what someone wishes had occurred.
  • Avoids distorting language, misrepresentation, or omission of key facts.
• A news source is accurate if and only if its news items consistently provide such accounts over time. This implies a pattern of:
  • Factual correctness.
  • Transparency about methods and corrections.
  • A low rate of misleading or retracted content.

Why

• To get a correct view of reality so you can understand the world and make informed decisions.
• To avoid incorrect or biased views, which can lead to poor decisions, emotional manipulation, or spreading misinformation.
• To build trust with others when you communicate news or opinions based on accurate information.
• Because a functioning democracy and society depend on access to accurate, trustworthy information.

How

1. Check evidence: Ensure the news item provides sources or data that can be verified.
2. Look for factual errors: Be alert to incorrect names, dates, places, or claims. Multiple errors signal that the piece is poorly researched or dishonest.
3. Assess neutrality: Watch for loaded language, cherry-picked facts, or emotionally manipulative framing.
4. Differentiate fact and opinion: Identify when a statement is reporting what happened versus interpreting or evaluating what happened.
5. Cross-check: Compare reports across multiple reliable sources to reduce the chance of error or bias.
6. Use rated sources: Prefer sources reviewed by independent groups for factual accuracy and low bias.
7. Look for transparency: Trust sources that explain their methods, cite their sources, and issue corrections when necessary.
8. Communicate responsibly: When sharing news, make it clear which parts are fact, which are opinion, and where your information comes from.

Relationships

Evidence

Evidence refers to observations or measurements. Because evidence is directly observable or measurable, it can be checked and confirmed by multiple people. Evidence is the foundation of factual reporting and is essential for evaluating the accuracy of any news item.

Examples include: - Direct observations (e.g. video footage, photographs) - Measurements (e.g. polling data, economic indicators) - Verifiable records (e.g. court transcripts, official statements)

Facts

Facts are statements about reality that can be proven true or false based on evidence. A fact is accurate if it corresponds with the best available evidence.

Examples: - “The U.S. Senate has 100 members.” (can be verified by the official roster) - “A 6.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in Japan on Monday.” (can be confirmed by seismic data)

Facts are not based on belief, emotion, or opinion. In journalism, distinguishing factual content from other types of content is key to maintaining accuracy.

Opinion

An opinion is a personal belief, judgment, or interpretation. Unlike facts, opinions are not directly verifiable by evidence, though well-formed opinions can be informed by evidence and reason.

Examples: - “The mayor’s policy is a failure.” (opinion; subjective assessment) - “The senator was disrespectful during the debate.” (opinion; evaluative language)

In accurate communication, opinions should be clearly identified and, ideally, supported by factual evidence. Mixing opinion with fact without disclosure can mislead readers and reduce the accuracy of news content.

Bias

Bias is a tendency to present information in a way that favors one perspective, group, or outcome—often at the expense of neutrality or fairness. In the context of news, bias can distort accuracy by shaping how facts are selected, framed, or emphasized.

Types of bias in news include:

• Selection bias: Only reporting certain facts or events while ignoring others.
• Framing bias: Presenting facts in a way that promotes a particular interpretation.
• Confirmation bias: Highlighting information that supports a preferred belief while dismissing contrary evidence.
• Tone bias: Using emotionally charged or slanted language to influence the audience’s perception.

Bias does not necessarily mean the information is false, but it often affects how complete, balanced, or fair the coverage is. Recognizing bias is essential for evaluating whether a news item is accurate and trustworthy.