2. Don't believe anything on Facebook or Reddit (or Twitter or any social communication channel) without independent verification. Something in your Facebook feed sounded outrageous? Probably because it's not true. Even the things you want to believe.
3. Newspapers are still the -best- source of well-reported, factual information. Sure, they get it wrong occasionally, but they also have set-in-stone correction policies and publish said corrections as soon as possible.
4. Your hometown paper is a good source of info on local political issues, elections, candidates and scandal/corruption/etc. Sure, it's likely anemic and doesn't do huge, hard-hitting investigative journalism, but you should pay for their web access subscription anyways. It's likely the only source of information about your schools, your city council, and the things that effect you most directly.
5. For national and international news, go the major metro papers. The New York Times is killing it with a full digital team in the newsroom - data driven reporting, great interactive presentations, and huge reputation and reach. These guys, along with the LA Times and Washington Post, etc. can get access and sources that no other organization can, just ask Edward Snowden. Pick one and subscribe online.
6. Go International. Checkout the U.K.-based Guardian, which has really stepped up it's U.S. coverage in the last few years. Check out the BBC. For a really different perspective, check Al Jazeera, the Doha, Quatar based agency that pumps out some solid reporting.
7. PBS. Fund drives, endowments and public funding sources mean the pressure to please advertisers and gain 'eyeballs' is less intense. This results in a sometimes dry reporting style, but tends to be packed with information. News magazine shows on PBS, like Frontline, Nova and Nature are also well-reported and not sensationalist as one expects Dateline or 20/20 to be. You'll never see a "To catch a predator" Frontline documentary, but you might find it tough to keep your blood pressure in check nonetheless.
8. NPR & PRI. Again, public funding means less pressure to please advertisers. Some argue that NPR has gotten soft on corporate reporting as public funding has fallen off. It's possible I suppose, but I still get more info from NPR than whatever jackasses are on KISS FM during my commute. Plus, we have a strong public radio network in my state, so I get a good mix of local, national and international news just by never changing my radio dial.
9. fivethirtyeight.com for data-related reporting, like polling and surveys. These guys are actual statisticians and data scientists that also happen to do reporting. Most of the time, data-reporting is done by journalist with journalism degrees. Nothing wrong with that, but... just saying.
10. If you're really hardcore, look for the insider publications. Wall Street Journal is kind of in this category, targeting traders and NYC bankers, but it's become a bit more mainstream now. Autonews.com is a good one for the automotive industry, for example, or poynter.org for news about journalism. Yup. There's news about news.
But... these are all biased Mainstream Media sources run by The Man...
How do you know if a story is biased? Well, good luck. The Hostile Media Effect pretty much guarantees that you'll feel as though some stories are biased. The best thing to do for this is seek out alternative news sources from around the country and world, and make up your own mind. How is the LA Times reporting this story? The BBC? The Guardian? These are reporting organizations that have their own reporters stationed all over the world.
Take a look at Fox News, or Brietbart even. What are their sources, how does their reporting jive with the other news agencies? If they differ, Why do you think they differ? Is there an agenda?
Undoubtedly many of these news sources are run by large corporate organizations. Reporting is an expensive, resource intensive, and potentially very dangerous endeavor. Journalists need organizations like the New York Times Company, Tribune Company, and, heck, even Gannett to back up their reporting with lawyers and dollars. It's hard to avoid big money, which is why public-funded sources, as well as international sources (which are likely to have different motives than domestic sources, -if- there is a motive present) are important.
Also, understand how news agencies like the Associated Press work. These are usually well-reported, well-vetted articles, but pay attention and realize that when you're reading an AP story in your local newspaper, it's likely that same story has been chopped up and printed in every newspaper in the country and often across the world. This isn't bad, but it can sometimes make it difficult to find different sources of the same event.
IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING, avoid listening to the talking heads on TV. These are people whom the shows producers know are good at talking on live television, are fairly predictable and will be able to prattle on about what-ifs and maybes for hours if needed. Don't let them replace your own thoughts with theirs.
Source: four years of journalism school, six years working in newspapers, four years working in government. It's tough out there, but reliable sources still exist. Pick your bedfellows wisely.
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