Finding Trustworthy Information
Not all information is trustworthy. To be an informed voter it is crucial to have true information. Below are a few tips to help you evaluate the validity of the information you read or hear.
Identifying "Good" Information
1. Is the Source Reputable?
Today you can't always trust a source just because it has a good reputation, however if it has a bad reputation and is known for often giving false information it is probably best to stay away from it.
2. Is it Opinionated?
Opinionated news is not always a bad thing. If it is advertised as an opinionated article then there is nothing to worry about. It does become an issue when there are obvious controversial opinions in a news piece that is supposed to be factual.
3. Is it Social Media?
Although Social Media apps like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook have made great advancements in global communication, they can be bad places to get news from. Many of the accounts that appear as news channels are either completely fake, or are drama channels like TMZ. If you are getting your information from social media make sure you check the source.
4. Who wrote it?
A good practice is to learn more about the person who is writing the news you read. If that person has a reputation of spreading false information you should definitely look somewhere else.
5. Is it believable?
This one may seem pretty obvious but it's always good to stop and think about if the story being reported is believable. Your judgement won't always be correct, but if you are suspicious of false information you should probably check other sources.
Obviously this check-list does not cover every possible scenario, but it may help you check your information and ultimately become an empowered voter.