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

Information that persuades you, ideally through the use of fact-based evidence, to adopt a specific point of view about an issue or event.

The plural form of the word “medium,” which is anything that acts as a channel for information. “Media” refers to anything that can convey information from one person or place to another. Though people often use the term “the media” to refer to mass media organizations collectively, it does not refer to a single coherent entity.

A piece of journalism that presents all relevant facts, context and information available at the time in as neutral, or unbiased, a manner as possible. Straight news should give readers, viewers or listeners enough information and points of view to make up their own mind about the topic or issue.

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.

Proof or confirmation of factual accuracy. In journalism, verification is a set of practices — such as getting details of an event confirmed by multiple sources — designed to ensure accuracy.

Information that informs you, through fair and impartial reporting, about local, national and international events, issues and people of significance or of interest.

Information that sells you a product or service.

Information that amuses, pleases, relaxes or distracts you.

Information that persuades you, ideally through the use of fact-based evidence, to adopt a specific point of view about an issue or event.

Information that provokes you — often by using false or distorted information to manipulate your emotions.

Information that documents an event or trend. It has not been analyzed, checked, edited, explained or placed in any context.