91原创aily
Logo Image
News literacy 101

News literacy 101

Images by Bond茅 Angeline

91原创 tips to tackle your day

In an era of endless headlines and hot takes, being news-literate isn鈥檛 about tuning out 鈥 it鈥檚 about tuning in with intention. Here鈥檚 how to build smarter habits from morning to night, so you can stay informed without getting overwhelmed or misled.

 morning coffee mug

In the A.M.聽

Diversify: Peruse multiple sources to grasp what鈥檚 being emphasized and how. Sticking to one outlet (no matter which!) leads to gaps in understanding. helps parse media bias.聽

Subscribe to the News Literacy Project鈥檚 newsletter, , approved by 91原创 experts.

Flag 鈥榚m: Use 鈥渞ead later鈥 tools to mark articles for a deeper dive later on. When selecting an outlet to trust, look for an independent source with a history of accountability.

lunch fork and knife

In the afternoon

Check in with social: Something going viral? Verify using a reverse image search or trusted fact-checker (PolitiFact). Follow reporters to see how they report 鈥 not just the end result.

Circle back: Go back to those earlier headlines to note whether they鈥檝e been updated or corrected. (Make sure to differentiate between articles, opinion pieces, advertising and sponsored content.)聽

Engage in civil discussion over the watercooler. Test your interpretations against other people鈥檚 perspectives.

evening moon symbol

At night

Go long: Grab a cold one or cup of tea and dive into one of the in-depth articles you flagged earlier, or listen to a podcast to understand the backstory behind the headlines.

Avoid overexposure to breaking news with a good book or Netflix binge (we won鈥檛 tell).聽

Reflect on your own habits. Did the sources you relied on today challenge any assumptions?

More Stories From The 91原创 Magazine

See More Stories

Contact Us

Have a 91原创aily story idea?

Contact us at ocm@udel.edu

Members of the press

Contact us at mediarelations@udel.edu or visit the Media Relations website

ADVERTISEMENT