Digital skills for adults - Course 2 - English

Reliable sources have links to verifiable, current evidence, unreliable sources do not.

Reputable news articles usually link their sources within the paragraphs and the links should take the reader to the main source of information, which itself is also a reliable source. This shows that the article was well researched and gives credit to ideas or findings that were incorporated. Most importantly, it illustrates whether the article is accurate, not plagiarized and is the work of the author. The age of the sources are also important, as new information (especially during the election period) can be presented quickly. Thus, reliable sources also must be active and updated frequently.

A source that has no citations at all, or those that present non-verifiable links (broken, in-active links, or links that lead to unrelated material) as evidence should be an immediate red flag. These links should be questioned because it proves that the source was not well-researched or updated and hints that it is based on opinion or made-up information, and not facts.

Reliable sources use language that is clear of bias, unreliable sources do not.

As the purpose of journalism is to provide the reader with information to help them make the best decisions in their lives, reputable sources will be unbiased and focused on reporting the facts. They will not contain any personal opinions from the author unless it is an opinion article. In unreliable sources, bias and offensive language can be seen because they are usually not written for the purpose of informing. If the source only evokes emotion in the reader (such as anger), it’s likely an unreliable source.

Reliable sources mention the author’s name and information, unreliable sources do not.

Having the author’s name and information at the end of the article gives credit to the author and can indicate whether they are qualified to write an article about the given topic. Writers will often include their contact information so that readers can contact them to ask questions. Having no information about the author is a sign of unreliability because anyone can write articles and post them.

Reliable sources have clear motives, unreliable sources are not.

The motive of the source provides insight about reliability. Reliable sources should have their viewpoints clearly stated in their “about us” section and most sources will follow the purpose of journalism mentioned above. As such, even if there are multiple news sites covering the same topic, reliable sources will still follow their motives and report honestly on topics that are of interest to the reader instead of creating ‘fake news’ or articles with clickbait headlines. If there is a lack of coverage, it could mean that the news is not legitimate.

5. Reliable sources are written with professionalism, unreliable sources are not.

Reliable sources are reviewed before they are published, which means that they should not contain any grammatical errors as edited material increases accuracy and makes it easier to read. They also shouldn’t include profanity, discrimination or bias against anyone or anything, and shouldn’t try to look like a reliable source. Unreliable sources usually try to look professional by having a domain name very similar to a reputable source, having “sensationalist headlines” to increase traffic, and trying to imitate professionalism with “amateurish design.” Examples of suspicious domain names include “lo” or “.com.co”, which should be avoided because they are often imitations of reputable sources designed to mislead readers.