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Critical Evaluation of News Sources

Scope, Content, & Objectives

This research guide is intended to serve as a starting point for users researching media bias, journalistic integrity, and source evaluation. It is intended to reflect current curriculum needs at Florida Gulf Coast University, which means not all areas of research will be represented equally. This is not intended to reflect the importance of any given research interest. As the curriculum changes, the scope of this guide will change, as well. 

The content of the guide primarily serves as a guide to performing source/media evaluation. Many of the sources are publicly accessible via the World Wide Web. Any FGCU sources mentioned may have accessibility limitations. Electronic resources such as databases and e-books may only be accessed by current FGCU students, staff, faculty, and emeritus faculty. General collection books may be checked out by current FGCU students, staff, faculty, emeritus faculty, and community users within the counties of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee. All materials may be used onsite by members of the public. For more information about accessing FGCU materials, please see the circulation policies HERE. Inclusion of publicly accessible materials is not an endorsement but is meant to guide researchers to possible resources of use. 

By using this guide, researchers will learn how to determine the credibility of news articles and sites, understand the importance of journalistic integrity, and perform basic fact-checking measures.  

Any comments or questions may be directed to the Communication Librarian.