The Fundamentals of News Literacy

About Fundamentals

This page explains how to learn by breaking down a subject into its fundamentals and then progressively learning each one.

Understanding News and Information

1. Rationale for News Currency: If you stay current with the news, you can take advantage of opportunities and best deal with threats.
2. The News: News is timely information about current events, trends, issues, and people that is relevant to the public.
3. Types of News Content: News channels and platforms feature a mix of content including news, analysis, opinion, advertising, propaganda, satire, misinformation, disinformation, entertainment, sponsored content, public relations, clickbait, and conspiracy theories.

• Purpose of News: Explain how news supports democratic participation and civic life.
• The 5W1H Framework: Use the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How questions to evaluate or report news.

Accuracy

• Accuracy of News: Describe accuracy. Communicate news with a high level of accuracy.
• Evidence: Describe evidence. Assess the quality of evidence in news. Use evidence skillfully when communicating news.
• Facts in News
• Opinions in News
• Facts and Opinions in News: Distinguish between objective statements and subjective statements.
• Verification: Use fact-checking tools and processes to confirm accuracy.

Bias, Framing, and Viewpoint

• Bias: Describe bias. Detect bias in news. Communicate news with minimal bias.
• Framing: Explain how framing, tone, word choice, and visuals can influence interpretation.
• Personal and Cultural Bias: Recognize your own biases and how they affect perception.

Sources and Reliability

• Sources of News: Describe the different types of sources that present news.
• Reputable Sources: Describe reputable sources. Assess and use high-quality sources when consuming or producing news.
• Primary Sources: Describe primary sources. Use primary sources to verify or strengthen reporting.
• Triangulation: Describe triangulation. Cross-check claims across independent sources.

Ethics and Responsibility

• Journalism Ethics: Describe the principles of ethical journalism (truth, transparency, accountability, fairness, etc.).
• Responsible Sharing: Share only verified, ethical, and meaningful news.
• The Drive Loop: Explain why people spread misinformation and why others believe it. Respond skillfully to misinformation.

Misinformation and Manipulation

• Misinformation: Describe misinformation. Identify and avoid spreading it.
• Disinformation: Explain disinformation. Understand how and why it is spread.
• Propaganda: Define propaganda. Recognize common techniques.
• Manipulation and Deception: Describe tactics used to mislead and control public opinion.

Tools and Strategies

• Fact-Checking: Use reliable fact-checking sites and methods (e.g., Snopes, PolitiFact).
• Reverse Search and Metadata: Apply digital tools to verify images and sources.
• Filter Bubbles and Algorithms: Understand how algorithms shape what news you see.
• Diversifying Sources: Create a balanced news diet using local, national, and international sources with varied viewpoints.

Habits of the Skilled News Consumer

• Critical Thinking: Ask key questions about all news content (e.g., Who made this? Why? What’s the evidence?).
• Skepticism: Apply healthy skepticism to claims while avoiding cynicism.
• Emotional Awareness: Recognize and manage emotional reactions to news.
• Informed Citizenship: Use news to make decisions, solve problems, and contribute meaningfully to society.