Read on Twitter
As a way to wrap up #NewsLiteracyWeek I thought I would offer some of my favorite news literacy tips. Of course this is just scratching the surface, and news/media literacy is much more complex than a tweet thread could ever portray but here is my top 5.
#1 - Ever read an article that says things like "According to a study" or "Researchers say" without linking to the study or saying WHAT researchers and from where? Red Flag! Also ask yourself if the source being quoted is truly an expert & what important voices may be missing.
#2 - Ever hear about something and go "Why isn't the media covering this?!" Chances are local news already did. Subscribe to your local paper or see if your public library provides e-access. Follow local reporters that cover beats you care about (like education) on social media.
#3 - Do you sometimes see a headline that lines up perfectly with your personal beliefs and think "YES! I have to share." Take a step back, read the article in it's entirety, and ask yourself if the full picture is being portrayed before sharing.
#4 - Media Bias charts are never perfect but this one from @adfontesmedia is very transparent about their methodology. It's always good to stick as close to the top middle as possible when choosing your national news sources. https://www.adfontesmedia.com/
#5 - Follow fact checkers like @PolitiFact on social media and subscribe to their email newsletters. When I open my PolitiFact emails it helps me succinctly get to the root of the day's headlines and see who is exaggerating or just flat out lying on either side.
