Growing Greenup:
Part 2 of 2
Becoming an Informed Citizen
Last week, this column contained part one of two in a series from a University of Kentucky publication entitled, Becoming an Informed Citizen. Please continue reading to complete the series by reading part two of two:
Having the ability to judge the accuracy of information is an important skill to becoming an informed citizen. National news online sources such as the New York Times and Washington Post are widely regarded as reputable sources due to their longstanding history of journalistic integrity, rigorous fact-checking processes, and editorial oversight. However, like all sources, their content should be evaluated for bias, especially in opinion pieces or editorials.
Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary defines bias as a tendency to present information in a way that favors one viewpoint, group, or outcome while downplaying or ignoring others. Bias can stem from political, financial, cultural, or personal influences, and it can significantly affect the reliability of a source. As people become informed citizens, readers are seeking balanced news sources. Some websites, such as Tangle News, summarize articles from different sides of an issue to provide readers with various viewpoints. Social media can provide us with a great deal of fast and almost immediate news, but it can sometimes be difficult to determine if what is shared via social media is fact or opinion.
This issue can be magnified by the effect of “going viral,” where a topic is repeatedly shared, reposted, and rewritten rapidly by many people. “Going viral” can also put distance between the facts of the story and the information we’re receiving. Perception plays a crucial role in how we interpret information from social media. Social media posts, personal websites, talk radio, and television talk shows are designed to voice opinions rather than to report news and facts. You may be able to learn about a piece of news from them, but you should look for the motive in their report. Ask yourself what they hope to gain by sharing the information the way they did.
If you are researching information online, note the extension at the end of the domain name to assist you in deciding what might motivate each site. As noted on the next page, the extension at the end of the URL should indicate the type of organization hosting the website. Do they want to inform, to educate, to profit, to persuade, or something else? Governmental organizations (.gov) and education institutions (.edu) are typically obligated to share impartial information. Commercial groups (.com) often have a business or profit incentive, while organizations (.org) may only share information that supports their goals.
This checklist can help assess the reliability of information before using it for research or decision-making. In all situations, check the author of the information, their credentials, and consider motive. For example, an author who is a registered dietician (R.D.) has knowledge to share about nutrition. However, there could be opinion or bias from information shared by the R.D. if it was sponsored by a food distribution company. You would want to look further to find other sources without direct interest in the issue.
To determine the motive of a source and consider if the source is slanted by bias, think about what the author wants you to do with the information shared. What action does the author want you to take? Be aware of sensationalism. Sensationalism is the practice of presenting information in an exaggerated, dramatic, or provocative way to attract attention or stir emotions. This often involves focusing on shocking or scandalous aspects of a story, sometimes at the expense of accuracy, balance, or context. Sensationalism is commonly used in media to boost readership, viewership, or engagement, but it can undermine the integrity of the information being presented.
Check the date of the information. Whether the information is research based or a popular interest source, the date is an important clue to reliability. Outdated or undated information is useless in trying to develop a current understanding of an issue. To avoid outdated information, look for when the article was last updated or revised. Take time to verify the information you are reading by confirming the statements with the references provided. Sources such as the National Institutes of Health or the Food and Drug Administration lend confidence to the information source.
One example of a source of information that may or may not be reliable is Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org/). This site was designed as a collaborative encyclopedia— in other words, people from around the world are adding or deleting information at all times. There is no realistic way to know if the editors of the content are truly experts. Therefore, Wikipedia could be a place to start for general information about a subject, but you should seek further proof before trusting what you read there.
Summary
Being an informed citizen takes time and effort. Linking with others in the community through local groups and organizations is an important step to becoming informed. Information can be found through television, radio, newspapers, and web postings. Engagement with current affairs, curiosity about the world and your community, and the ability to differentiate between facts and opinions are important skills to develop to become and remain an educated citizen ready to provide politicians with informed advice about community issues.
Information Reliability Checklist
Consider the credibility of the source
1. Is the publishing organization known for accuracy and reliability?
2. Is the author clearly identified and does the author have relevant expertise or credentials?
3. Are facts, statements, and claims supported by evidence?
4. Has the source been updated as new information becomes available?
5. Has the source been reviewed or verified for accuracy by experts?
Consider the motive of the article
6. Would the goal of the article be considered biased?
7. Does the article show bias or use sensationalism to persuade the reader?
Please contact Anne Stephens for a link or hard copy of this entire publication with the full list of references.
About the Authors Laura Stephenson, the original author of the publication, is the University of Kentucky’s Vice President for Land-grant Engagement and the Dean of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Extension Specialist Mercedes Fraser of the Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky and Digital Literacy Extension Agent Rick Sellnow of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, revised the publication in Dec. 2024.
For more information, contact Anne Stephens, Agent for Community Arts and Development in Greenup County. 606.836.0201 anne.stephens@uky.edu 35 Wurtland Avenue, Wurtland, KY 41144 The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky counties, cooperating.
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