Why haven’t you filed that story yet?
It’s a question that impatient editors the world over ask their reporters on a daily basis as the rush to be first with the news can prove to be all-consuming.
Regardless of where that reporter is located, the response has a familiar ring to it: They're waiting to confirm certain details or get the other side of the argument before they feel comfortable filing the story.
Yes, they have some information, which could have been gleaned from a variety of sources and might or might not be entirely correct, so they need to ensure its accuracy before sharing it with readers. In a news cycle that never stops, it’s a time-consuming step, but an absolutely crucial one in earning your trust.
Media Literacy Week, which is being observed from Oct. 21 to 25 this year, is shining a spotlight on the need to seek out credible sources for the news that you consume. To that end, the Canadian Journalism Foundation has launched "Trust Wisely," a national campaign that urges Canadians to make wise choices when placing their trust in information sources.
A great many people who post online aren’t bound by the guidelines that journalists follow, so the sea of misinformation gets larger with every passing day. It’s not surprising that in a Stats Can survey, 43 per cent of Canadians reported that it was becoming harder to distinguish between true and false news or information in 2023, compared with just three years prior.
The internet has made it easier than ever to get information, but it has also created new opportunities for misinformation to spread. That’s why it’s imperative that Canadians practise news literacy and put their trust in those individuals and entities that deliver quality journalism.
Choose your sources wisely.
