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Gathering and verifying information

Gathering and verifying information. Seeking the truth. Some sources have agendas. Most sources have agendas. There is a lot more information out there, and it’s available many more people, than ever before. Therefore, you need to figure out what is trustworthy/truthful and what is not.

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Gathering and verifying information

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  1. Gathering and verifying information

  2. Seeking the truth • Some sources have agendas. Most sources have agendas. • There is a lot more information out there, and it’s available many more people, than ever before. • Therefore, you need to figure out what is trustworthy/truthful and what is not. • The most important thing in reporting – accuracy.

  3. Gathering information • More sources > fewer sources. • Helps with accuracy. • Can give a more full, richer account.

  4. Trust, but verify • Objectivity – check your opinion at the door. • Is what I am being told accurate? • Does it make sense? • Balance and fairness doesn’t mean throwing two opposing sides in a story and calling it done. • Be fair to the facts.

  5. Web of information • Morgue – your organization’s files. • Government Web sites • Search engines • News Web sites, aggregators • DatabasesCommercial, government, self-constructed

  6. Search engines and info sites • You need to verify what your Google search turns up. • Does this information come from someone with an agenda? • Wikipedia – more trustworthy now, but you still need to verify

  7. Evaluating links • You’ve gathered some information online – verify it.- Don’t need to verify if information is from highly credible sites, like the government. • Attribute – just like you would a physical piece of information. • If you doubt its accuracy, don’t use it.

  8. Evaluating links, cont. • Try to get any possible slant of the organization that prepared the information.- The Michigan Education Report • When was the information prepared or updated? Is it out of date?

  9. Portals and Web forums • Can find some very good sources of information via these tools. • Forums – need to verify sources as credible. Sites dedicated to various interests can be a valuable source to tap into expertise or enthusiasts of a particular topic.

  10. News sites and aggregators • News sites – New York Times, Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Mlive.com, cm-life.com • You still need to verify information is accurate. Reporter may have been less than accurate in the story. • Aggregators – Google news, Yahoo news.

  11. Government databases • More information is available online than ever. Great tool for reporters. • Easier access to information. • Can allow reporters to compare information from various years, various sources.

  12. Self-created databases • Reporter gathers information. • Assembles into a database – like Excel. • Looks at results for trends, patterns, shifts, price jumps, etc.

  13. Traditional sources of information • Phone books • Maps • Plat books • State manuals • Dictionary • Encyclopedia Brittanica • Guinness Book of World Records

  14. Summary • Internet is a great research tool. • Verify what you find. • Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy.

  15. Questions?

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