Goal: Summarize the main ideas that are needed for getting accurate news.

Accurate News

1. News: Reported information about recent events, developments, or issues that are considered significant, relevant, or of public interest.

2. Rationale for Being Current with the News: Make better decisions, discover opportunities, increase safety, learn about events to attend, learn things, and so on. However, excessive news focus can be emotionally draining and can consume too much time.

3. Accurate News: News that presents a fair and accurate view of reality (AVR) because it is based on evidence and ethical reporting.

4. Accurate View of Reality (AVR): Having an understanding, typically of a topic, that describes how things really are because it aligns with evidence, reasoning, and probability.

5. Evidence Evidence is information from reliable methods (e.g., observation, measurement, calculations, experiments, models, and so on) that increases certainty about a claim.

How to Get Accurate News

1. Get your news from multiple reliable and independent sources and then triangulate (cross-check) between them. Skim much of this to maximize your effectiveness. Include sources from various political leanings.

2. Primary Sources: When possible, go directly to the source of information (e.g., government reports, scientific studies, official statements).

3. Avoids sources that have a history of inaccurate information or bias.

4. Use fact-checking organizations (e.g., Snopes, PolitiFact, FactCheck.org) to check the accuracy of claims.

Reliable Sources of News

1. Reliable News Source: A reliable news source meets the following three criteria:

   1. Highest probability of presenting an Accurate View of Reality (AVR).
   2. Commitment to journalistic ethics, factual accuracy, and transparency.
   3. Minimal bias.

2. Journalistic Ethics: Ethical journalists prioritize truth and accuracy, verifying information and correcting errors. They strive for impartiality, minimizing bias and distinguishing news from opinion. Transparency is paramount, disclosing sources and conflicts. They respect privacy and avoid causing unnecessary harm. Accountable to the public, they inform and hold power responsible. In the digital age, ethical journalists combat misinformation and use social media responsibly.

3. Here are several ways to identify reliable sources of news.

   1. Use Ad Fontes Media (AFM).
   2. Ask experts in reliable news who they recommend.
   3. Conduct your own analysis; this requires an extensive skill set.
   4. Get a list of reliable sources: e.g., AP, NYT, WSJ, BBC, Reuters, NPR, ProPublica, The Economist, The Guardian, and so on.

4. Avoid unreliable sources of news

   1. Examples (left learning): Occupy Democrats, The Palmer Report, Daily Kos, Addicting Info, Raw Story
   2. Examples (right leaning): Gateway Pundit, Newsmax, Breitbart News, One America News Network, The Epoch Times

Managing News Angst

1. Acceptance: This skill refers to accepting reality as it is and then figuring out the best ways to deal with it so that you can be your best even when your present situation is difficult or extremely difficult. Note: this skill takes time and practice to develop.

Describing Information

Information

Information is the set of {facts, opinions, concepts, conclusions, data, methods and so on} about a topic.

Accurate information

Information that is correct, factual, and supported by reliable evidence.

Inaccurate information

Information that contains errors or is incorrect, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Misinformation

False or misleading information shared without the intent to deceive, often due to misunderstanding or error.

Disinformation

False or misleading information that is deliberately created and spread to deceive people.

Bias

Bias is a systematic tendency to favor or oppose something, leading to judgments that are not fully based on objective facts or sound reasoning.

Social Misinformation

Propoganda

This is when a government, organization, or individual systematically disseminates false or misleading information to shape public perception, influence attitudes, guide actions, or promote a particular agenda.

Deception

Deception is the intentional attempt to provide an inaccurate view of reality for the deceiver’s benefit.

Manipulation (Unethical Persuasion):

Persuasion is attempting to get another actor (person, group, or entity) to believe something or do something. It become manipulation when the sender uses misinformation, coercion, or mind-tricks.

Fraud

Fraud is the intentional deception of a person or entity for financial or personal gain. It involves misrepresentation, concealment, or manipulation of facts to cause harm or gain an unfair advantage.

Con

A con is a deceptive scheme or trick designed to manipulate someone into trusting the con artist and ultimately losing money, property, or control. A con artist (short for “confidence artist”) is a person who gains the victim’s trust through deception, persuasion, or charm and then exploits them for personal gain.

Cult

A cult is a social group that is typically characterized by a distinct set of beliefs, intense devotion to a charismatic leader or ideology, and social structures that encourage isolation from outside influences, strong internal cohesion, and high levels of control over members’ behaviors, thoughts, and emotions.

Fact (Objective Fact):

:A statement whose truth or falsity is independent of anyone’s opinion because its truth value is determined by direct methods: observation, experiment, calculations, investigative journalism, methods used by skilled detectives such as DNA matching, and so on.

Opinion (Subjective Fact)

:A statement whose truth value depends on an actor’s values, beliefs, and so on. A subjective fact is true for one or more people, but not true for all people. Example: Apple pie is the best kind of pie.

Good Information (High Quality Information)

Information that meets 7 criteria: super-useful, true, accurate, complete, easy-to-figure-out, well organized, and justified.

Accurate View of Reality (AVR)

An AVR is the view that best represents the world as it is—one that aligns with the best available evidence and the conclusions drawn from it, in ways that are relatively independent of personal beliefs.

Inaccurate View of Reality (IVR)

An IVR is when an actor (person or group) has beliefs that are misleading or wrong about a topic.

Subjects or Methods

Information Literacy

This subject equips an actor (person or group) with the ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively.

Critical Thinking

This subject equips an actor (person or group) with the abilities to (a) get an accurate view of reality, (b) figure out the best actions to take, and (c) justify their conclusions in all cases.

Research:

This subject equips an actor (person or group) with the abilities to seek out high-quality information and find it with the fewest drawbacks (time, effort, cost, hassles, and so on.)

Fact Checking

This subject equips an actor (person or group) with the abilities to figure out the degree to which information represents an accurate view of reality and communicates this uncertainty.

Things to Watch Out For

Core Nomenclature

Skepticism

This is the process of carefully examining beliefs and the reasons why these beliefs should be accepted for the purpose of getting accurate information.

: Evidence is information from reliable methods (e.g., observation, measurement, calculations, experiments, and models) that increases certainty about a claim.

News Literacy

• The role of news in a democracy
  • A free press as a watchdog, informer, and forum for public discourse
    
  • How news supports civic participation
• Types of information
  • News vs. opinion vs. analysis
    
  • Advertising, entertainment, public relations
    
  • Propaganda and clickbait
• Standards of quality journalism
  • Verification and accuracy
    
  • Fairness and multiple viewpoints
    
  • Transparency and accountability
    
  • Corrections and sourcing
• Evaluating sources and evidence
  • Authority, transparency, and motive of the source
    
  • Primary vs. secondary sources
    
  • Anonymous sources and how they’re handled
• Recognizing bias and framing
  • Word choice, tone, and image selection
    
  • Story placement and omission of perspectives
    
  • Personal bias vs. media bias
• Fact-checking and verification tools
  • Using trusted fact-checking sites (e.g. Snopes, PolitiFact, FactCheck.org)
    
  • Reverse image search and metadata checks
    
  • Triangulating multiple sources
• Misinformation and disinformation
  • Definitions and motives (mistake vs. manipulation)
    
  • Common tactics (e.g. emotional appeal, false context, satire)
    
  • Bot accounts and coordinated disinfo campaigns
• Critical thinking and questioning
  • Ask: Who made this and why?
    
  • What’s the evidence?
    
  • What’s missing or omitted?
    
  • Cross-check with independent sources
• Responsible sharing
  • Don’t amplify false or misleading info
    
  • Pause before sharing: verify first
    
  • Be aware of your emotional reaction—manipulation often targets emotions
• Becoming an informed news consumer
  • Diversify your sources across geography and viewpoint
    
  • Know your news diet: include local, national, and global
    
  • Understand algorithms and filter bubbles
    
  • Support credible journalism

Understanding News and Information

• Recognize Different Types of Information: Distinguish between news reports, opinion pieces, analysis, advertising, and sponsored content.
• Identify News Sources: Understand the various platforms where news is disseminated (newspapers, websites, social media, broadcast) and their potential biases.
• Evaluate Source Credibility: Assess the reliability and trustworthiness of news sources based on factors like reputation, expertise, transparency, and potential conflicts of interest.
• Understand Journalistic Principles: Be aware of core journalistic values such as accuracy, fairness, objectivity, and independence.

Evaluating News Content

• Identify Bias: Recognize different types of bias (e.g., political, commercial, confirmation) and how they might influence reporting.
• Distinguish Facts from Opinions: Learn to differentiate between verifiable statements and subjective interpretations.
• Analyze Evidence: Examine the quality and sufficiency of evidence presented to support claims.
• Recognize Logical Fallacies: Identify common errors in reasoning that can undermine the validity of information.
• Detect Misinformation and Disinformation: Understand the difference between unintentionally false information and deliberately misleading content.

Engaging with News Responsibly

• Be Mindful of Emotional Responses: Recognize how emotions can affect information processing and critical thinking.
• Seek Diverse Perspectives: Actively look for information from multiple sources and viewpoints.
• Practice Critical Thinking: Question information, analyze arguments, and form independent judgments.
• Consider the Broader Context: Understand the social, political, and economic factors that may influence news coverage.
• Share Information Ethically: Avoid spreading unverified or misleading information.
• Engage in Civil Discourse: Participate in respectful and constructive conversations about news and current events.

Here’s a structured breakdown of the fundamentals of news literacy using your requested format:

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Understanding News Sources

• Identify the type of source (news organization, blog, social media, etc.).
  
• Recognize the difference between primary and secondary sources.
  
• Check the reputation and credibility of the publication.
  
• Be aware of potential biases in the source.

Evaluating Information

• Verify facts using multiple reliable sources.
  
• Distinguish between news, opinion, and sponsored content.
  
• Look for evidence, data, and expert citations.
  
• Assess whether the story is current or outdated.

Recognizing Bias & Framing

• Identify loaded language or emotional appeals.
  
• Compare how different outlets cover the same story.
  
• Understand the difference between bias and misinformation.
  
• Recognize omission of key details that may skew perspective.

Analyzing Media Techniques

• Examine headlines for sensationalism or clickbait.
  
• Check if images or videos are edited or taken out of context.
  
• Be aware of algorithmic bias in social media feeds.
  
• Understand how framing influences perception.

Practicing Critical Engagement

• Question the purpose behind the information (inform, persuade, entertain?).
  
• Avoid sharing unverified or misleading content.
  
• Engage with diverse perspectives to avoid echo chambers.
  
• Stay updated on media literacy best practices.

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This format organizes news literacy into key categories, making it easier to understand and apply. Would you like any refinements or additional details?

Fundamentals of News Literacy

News literacy is the ability to critically evaluate news and information to determine what is trustworthy and accurate. Here are the core fundamentals:

1. 

Understanding the Role of News

• News helps people stay informed, make decisions, and participate in civic life.

• A free press is vital to a healthy democracy.

2. 

Distinguishing News from Other Types of Information

• News: Verified information that is timely and relevant to the public.

• Opinion: Personal views or interpretations.

• Advertising: Paid messages intended to persuade.

• Entertainment: Content meant to amuse or engage.

• Propaganda: Biased information designed to promote a specific agenda.

3. 

Recognizing Standards of Quality Journalism

• Verification: Using reliable sources and evidence.

• Independence: Free from outside influence or bias.

• Accountability: Willingness to correct errors and be transparent.

• Multiple perspectives: Fair representation of various viewpoints.

4. 

Evaluating Sources

• Consider the source’s reputation, transparency, and expertise.

• Check if the source is known for accuracy and corrections.

• Be wary of anonymous sources or lack of attribution.

5. 

Detecting Bias and Framing

• Understand how word choice, tone, and selection of facts can shape interpretation.

• Identify your own biases to better recognize bias in media.

6. 

Using Fact-Checking and Verification Tools

• Rely on reputable fact-checking sites like:

  • Snopes

  • PolitiFact

  • FactCheck.org

• Use reverse image search and other verification methods.

7. 

Spotting Misinformation and Disinformation

• Misinformation: False or misleading info shared without harmful intent.

• Disinformation: False info deliberately shared to mislead.

8. 

Developing Critical Thinking

• Ask key questions:

  • Who made this?

  • What is the evidence?

  • Why was it made?

  • What’s missing?

9. 

Practicing Responsible Sharing

• Don’t share content unless it’s verified.

• Understand the consequences of spreading false or misleading information.

10. 

Becoming an Informed News Consumer

• Diversify your news sources.

• Read beyond headlines.

• Seek out local, national, and global perspectives.

Want a printable checklist or a version to put in Obsidian?