NEWS LITERACY 2026 - WHY NEWS MATTERS
Facts are sacred. Journalism is essential to our Republic.
Journalism is not just a job. It is part of our democratic system.
The First Amendment protects a free press because democracy cannot function without people and institutions willing to report what those in power may not want reported.
But in today's information environment, knowing where news comes from is almost as important as knowing what happened.
Know the difference.
News reporting informs.
Opinion interprets and persuades.
Entertainment engages.
A commentator may provide facts while also selecting facts to support an argument. That doesn't automatically make the information false. It means you should understand the difference between reporting and persuasion.
Demand transparency.
Good journalism gets the facts right, provides context, identifies sources whenever possible and corrects mistakes.
Neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
When anonymous sources are used, ask why. When something is wrong, tell the news organization. Be civil. Be specific. Journalism gets better when audiences demand accountability.
Don't confuse bad news with fake news.
News isn't supposed to make everyone happy.
A story doesn't become false because it is uncomfortable, embarrassing or politically inconvenient. Journalists should not allow the people they cover to approve stories before publication.
The press serves the public, not those in power.
Follow the news to its source.
A story appearing on Facebook, X, YouTube, TikTok or in a group chat may have originated somewhere else.
Find the original reporting.
Then support it. Subscribe. Share it. Read it. Watch it. Listen to it.
Credible journalism costs money to produce. Democracy depends on having it.
Participate.
If journalists get something wrong, tell them.
If they missed an important source, tell them.
If they got it right, tell them that, too.
A healthy democracy isn't a spectator sport.
Neither is journalism.
DOSE OF NEWS
We believe in journalism that is accurate, transparent, independent and accessible.
No shouting.
No manufactured outrage.
No pretending opinion is news.
Just the facts.
All the digital news fit to download.
Give us five minutes and we'll give you the world.