By Seth Ashley, Boise State University
Political spin is nothing new, and identifying reliable news and information can be hard to do during any presidency. But the return of Donald Trump to the White House has over , and the in a America.
Misinformation is an umbrella term that covers all kinds of , and there is lots of it out there.
During , the president himself promoted false claims about , and .
Now, in his second term, Trump is again using the bully pulpit of the presidency to spread false claims 鈥 for example, on and as well as .
Meanwhile, social media platforms such as Meta have created after Trump鈥檚 first election win, and presidential adviser amplify .
To stay informed while also arming yourself against misinformation, it鈥檚 crucial to practice what I call good 鈥渘ews hygiene鈥 by developing strong news literacy skills.
News literacy, as I argue in my open-access 2020 book 鈥溾 and in , is about more than fact-checking and detecting . It鈥檚 about understanding how modern media works and how content is influenced, from TikTok to FOX News to The New York Times.
Here are six ways to become a smarter, saner news consumer.
1. Recognize the influence of algorithms
Algorithms are the hidden computer formulas that mediate everything news consumers read, watch, click on and react to online. Despite the , algorithms and are designed to .
Algorithmic recommendation engines that power everything from X to YouTube can even contribute to a slow-burn destabilization of American society by shoving consumers into that and .
Sometimes, algorithms can that or tell them to engage in dangerous behavior. Facebook groups spreading 鈥淪top the Steal鈥 messages contributed to the Jan. 6, 2021, . TikTok algorithms in the 鈥渂orax challenge.鈥 Dylann Roof killed nine Black people he found in search results.
Rather than passively consuming whatever appears in your feeds 鈥 allowing to set in 鈥 actively seek out a variety of sources to inform you about current events. The news shouldn鈥檛 just tell you what you want to hear.
And spread the word. People who simply understand that algorithms filter information are more likely to .
2. Understand the economics of corporate news
Media outlets operate within economic systems that shape their priorities.
For-profit newsrooms, which produce the bulk of news consumed in the U.S., rely heavily on advertising revenue, which can . Places such as ABC, CNN and FOX, as well as local network TV affiliates, can still do good work, but their business model helps to explain sensational and false-balance reporting that leaves room for doubt on established facts about and .
At the same time, the for news is not good. Declining revenues and staff cuts also of news.
and public media provide alternatives that generally prioritize public interest over profit. And if you have the budget, paying for quality journalism with a subscription can help credible outlets survive.
Traditional journalism has never been perfect, but the collapse of the news business is . Countries with better funding for public media tend to have , and compared with other rich nations, the U.S. spends almost nothing on public service broadcasting.
3. Focus on source evaluation and verification
Particularly with , source evaluation and verification are essential skills. Here are some ways to identify trustworthy journalism:
- Quality of evidence: Are claims verified with support from a variety of informed individuals and perspectives?
- Transparency about sources: Is the reporter clear about where their information came from and who shared it?
- Adherence to ethical guidelines: Does the outlet follow the of accuracy and independence?
- Corrections: Does the outlet correct its errors and follow up on incomplete reporting?
Be cautious with content that lacks the author鈥檚 name, relies heavily on anonymous sources 鈥 or uses no sources at all 鈥 or is published by outlets with a clear ideological agenda. These aren鈥檛 immediate disqualifiers 鈥 some have no bylines, for example, and some sources legitimately need anonymity for protection 鈥 but watch out for news operations that routinely engage in these practices and obscure their motive for doing so.
A good online verification practice is called 鈥.鈥 That鈥檚 when you open new browser tabs to verify claims you see on news sites and social media. Ask: Is anyone else covering this, and have they reached similar conclusions?
4. Examine your emotional reactions
One of the hallmarks of misinformation is its ability to provoke strong , whether outrage, fear or validation.
These reactions, , can cloud judgment and make people more susceptible to false or misleading information. The primitive brains of humans are wired to reject information that challenges our beliefs and to accept information we like, a phenomenon known as .
When encountering content that sparks an emotional reaction, ask yourself: Who benefits from this narrative? What evidence supports it? Is this information informative or manipulative?
If the answers make you suspicious, investigate further before acting or sharing.
5. Guard against propaganda
Everyone in politics works to shape narratives in order to gain support for their agenda. It鈥檚 called spin.
But , spreading documented lies to pump up his followers and undermine the .
He also media he doesn鈥檛 like. From or calling journalists the 鈥,鈥 these tactics silence dissent, undermine public trust in journalism and around acceptable public discourse and behavior.
Meanwhile, he amplifies information and people who support his political causes. This is called propaganda.
Understanding the 鈥 its use of repetition, emotional appeal, scapegoating, scare tactics and unrealistic promises 鈥 can help inoculate people against its influence.
6. Stay engaged
Democracy relies on an to hold accountable their government and the officials who work in it as well as other powerful players in society. Yet the sheer volume of misinformation and bad news these days can feel overwhelming.
Rather than tuning out 鈥 what scholars call 鈥溾 鈥 you can practice critical consumption of news.
Read deeply, look beyond headlines and short video clips, question the framing of stories, and encourage discussions about the role of media in society. Share reliable information with your friends and colleagues, and model good news hygiene for others.
Correcting misinformation is , so if someone you know shares it, by asking 鈥 privately and gently 鈥 where they heard it and whether they think it鈥檚 really true.
Finally, set goals for your consumption. What are your information needs at any given moment, and where can you meet that need? Some experts say is enough. Don鈥檛 waste your time on garbage.
Touch grass
While it鈥檚 important to stay engaged, so is getting outside and to calm and soothe your busy brain. Logging off and will keep your support system strong for when things are tough. by turning off notifications and taking breaks from your phone.
Practicing good news hygiene isn鈥檛 just about protecting ourselves 鈥 it鈥檚 about fostering a media environment that supports democracy and informed participation.
This article is republished from , a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: ,
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Seth Ashley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Feature Image: Not all news sources are created equal. Noah Berger/AP Images