How can Americans find reliable news?

Katie Baneck

Kb271219@ohio.edu

Illustration by Katie Baneck

We live in a time filled with uncertainty when Americans have declining trust in the news media. Unfortunately, 2003 was the last time most Americans trusted the news media. 

Fake news has most definitely become a buzzword, but this concept has been around for a while. Fake news is inaccurate content, and it is trying to disguise itself as news. 

As a journalist during this time in our country's history, it can feel daunting to work to fix the misinformation problem we have in the US. It is essential to mention that journalists have to work to build trust in the media, but regular citizens have to work towards that goal.

Everyone can do a few things to help rebuild our media environment. 

1. Don't share the news if you haven't fact-checked it. Pew research found that 23% of Americans had shared fake news in the past and that 14% had shared the fake news knowing that the story had been made up. So it is crucial to share content that you can stand behind.

2. Double-check reports of stories. Are other news sites reporting the same thing? Make sure that it isn't just one outlet reporting on the issue.

3. Use tools like Google reverse image search. That can be a great way to determine if the images used for a report are fake. 

4. Look to see if the news outlet is trying to impersonate a more reputable site. Often, a fake news site will use the same fonts or similar titles to other respected news organizations.

5. Check out the links and quotes from the article. Are these citations from reputable sources?

6. Check to see if the story is trying to appeal to your emotions. Fake news is often created to get the desired responses from viewers.

7. If there are grammatical errors or factual errors, it could be fake. Again, it is crucial to look for professional writing. Reputable news organizations have rigorous copyediting and fact-checking processes. 

The fight against fake news and misinformation is one we all have to participate in. Therefore, it is essential to understand our role in our media environment and society. 

People have so much power regarding what they share on their social media pages. It is time to make sure that we all can stand behind the information we share.