SOURCE /sors/ noun DEFINITION: A person, document, organization, record, or other information provider from which journalists obt...
SOURCE
/sors/
noun
DEFINITION: A person, document, organization, record, or other information provider from which journalists obtain facts, statements, or evidence for news reporting.
IN JOURNALISM: Sources provide the information journalists need to produce accurate, credible, and well-supported reports. They may include eyewitnesses, government officials, experts, official documents, and firsthand records.
EXAMPLE: A journalist reporting on a water shortage interviews affected residents, consults records from the local water district, and seeks explanations from municipal authorities. These individuals and records serve as sources for the news story.
WHY IT MATTERS: Reliable sources help journalists verify information, establish accountability, and distinguish facts from rumors or unsupported claims. Using multiple independent sources can also strengthen a report's accuracy and credibility.
MEDIA LITERACY TIP: Before believing or sharing a news report, ask yourself: Who provided the information, and how was it verified?
REMEMBER: Having a source does not automatically make information accurate. Responsible journalists must evaluate its credibility and verify important claims before publication.
Sentinel Times | Media Literacy 101
Think critically. Read responsibly. Share wisely.
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