Staying Informed

Information Is the Basis of Civic Action

The American republic depends on an informed citizenry. When citizens do not know what their government is doing, they cannot hold it accountable. When they cannot distinguish credible information from misinformation, they become vulnerable to manipulation. When they retreat into echo chambers, they lose the ability to understand their fellow citizens.

The News Literacy Project puts it plainly: “Information is the basis of civic action. It’s the basis of civic agency. It’s the basis of making decisions for yourself. If you don’t know how to recognize credibility when you see it and how to distinguish credible information from low-quality information, that’s disempowering as a citizen.”[reference:9]

Staying informed is not about reading everything. It is about reading carefully, thinking critically, and seeking out sources that challenge your assumptions rather than confirm them.

How to Evaluate What You Read

Media literacy is not a single skill. It is a set of practices that help you navigate the information environment. Here are the most important ones:

• Check the source. Who published this? What is their reputation? Do they have a known bias? What is their funding model?
• Read laterally. When you encounter a claim, open a new tab and search for what other sources say about it. Do not rely on the original source alone.
• Look for evidence. Does the article cite primary sources? Are the sources named and verifiable? Or does it rely on anonymous claims and vague assertions?
• Distinguish news from opinion. Both have a place, but they are not the same thing. Opinion pieces are arguments; news reports are attempts to convey facts.
• Watch for emotional manipulation. If something makes you angry or afraid, pause. Misinformation often spreads through strong emotional reactions.
• Check the date. Old information can be recirculated as if it were new. Make sure the information you are sharing is current.
• Seek out multiple perspectives. Read sources that lean in different directions. You do not have to agree with them, but you should understand what they are saying.

These skills are not just for adults. Research shows that students who are taught news literacy are more likely to engage in civic behaviors like pushing back against misinformation.[reference:10] The habits of critical thinking translate directly into the habits of democratic citizenship.

Where to Go for Reliable Information

No single source is perfect. But some sources are consistently more reliable than others. Here are a few categories to consider:

Primary sources. Government documents, court opinions, legislative records, and official transcripts are the raw material of informed citizenship. They are not always easy to read, but they are the most direct way to know what the government is actually doing.

Established news organizations. Major newspapers, wire services, and public broadcasters have editorial standards, fact-checking processes, and correction policies. They are not infallible, but they are accountable.

Nonpartisan research organizations. Think tanks and research centers that publish their methodology and disclose their funding can be valuable sources of analysis. Pay attention to their funding sources and their track record of accuracy.

Fact-checking organizations. Independent fact-checkers evaluate the accuracy of claims made by public officials and media outlets. They are a useful tool for verifying specific statements.

The goal is not to find a single trusted source. It is to cultivate the habit of reading widely, comparing sources, and making your own judgment based on evidence.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? ... You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.” Matthew 5:13-14 (NRSV)