Democracy, Watchdog, and Practicing Quality Journalism

A statement that can be verified or shown to be true. Facts are the basis for credible news reports.

• Fact

• Truth

• Sources

• First Amendment

Part of the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution). This amendment prohibits Congress from making laws that (a) infringe on the freedom of speech or freedom of the press, (b) prohibit the free exercise of religion or (c) limit the right to peaceably assemble or to petition the government for a redress of grievances (making a complaint to the government, or asking for its assistance, without fear of reprisal). Under the First Amendment, the government cannot legally punish you for exercising these rights. It does not, however, protect you from private parties — such as places of business or individuals — taking action against you.

• Fact

• Truth

• First Amendment

• Sources

In journalism, the process that begins with collecting facts and putting them in an order and context that is proven to be true and that clarifies reality. Truth is often not known when a story first “breaks,” but takes time to come out after all the facts are known and many news reports have been produced.

• Fact

• Truth

• First Amendment

• Sources

Responsibility for some activity, statement or action. In journalism, this includes being responsible for any errors that are made in reporting. Consumers should expect accountable news organizations to acknowledge and correct errors, and sometimes explain how they happened.

• Fact

• Truth

• Sources

• Accountability

In journalism, the people, organizations, documents and other providers of background information that journalists use as the basis of their reporting. Sources can include people — such as government officials, police, company employees, eyewitnesses to events and experts — as well as documents, images, video and social media posts.

Reporters and editors are generally required to verify, or confirm, the information their sources provide, usually by getting a second source. Journalistic standards also require reporters to consult all relevant sources for a story, especially the various people involved in an incident.

• First Amendment

• Watchdog Role

• Sources

• Truth

The function played by any person or organization that monitors or documents the actions of others to discover deceitful, corrupt or unlawful activity. This role is often played by news organizations — for example, as they monitor and report on government offices and meetings or corporate activity — but citizens can also act as watchdogs by documenting unjust or illegal practices.

• First Amendment

• Watchdog Role

• Accountability

• Sources

Authoritative evidence — such as recordings, documents or online activity — to support statements or facts in a news report.

• Sources

• Documentation

• Context

• Fact

Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

• Bias

• Truth

• Context

• Watchdog Role

The set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation, event or fact. In journalistic terms, context is often a key part of providing a truthful account of an event or understanding the meaning of an event over time. A lack of context, or a deceitful misrepresentation of context, is a common feature of misinformation.

• Documentation

• Sources

• Context

• Fairness

Someone who is a specialist in a particular subject. Journalists often seek experts — who are also independent, or are impartial about the other people or organizations involved in a story — to add important details to their reporting that are missing from those provided by official and eyewitness sources.

• Documentation

• Expert Source

• Eyewitness Source

• Official Source