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Accuracy in journalism
Accuracy is the most important factor in journalism. If your work is not accurate you are guilty of producing misinformation. In this section we look at how accurate, evidence-based reporting informs the public debate and allows the audience to make educated choices. We look at why editorialising should be avoided, how to deal with bias, and why clarity is essential.
Accuracy in journalism
Precision is the soul of journalism. Rule one is simple: get it right. If you can't respect the absolute need for accuracy, this isn't the career for you.
Reporting conflicting claims – scenario
A reporter witnesses a mass walkout at a local factory. The company claims it’s business as usual, but the union insists all workers have downed tools.
Evidence-based reporting
This guide provides a framework for journalists to compile in-depth reports on any topic by ensuring that all they write is based on verifiable facts.
A journalist must not have an agenda
Our role as journalists is to unearth information, prepare it and then display it for the benefit of the audience. We are not there to fabricate, manipulate or force.
Editorialising is not for news
The free training materials on Media Helping Media are all aimed at encouraging one particular kind of journalism: accurate, fact-based, impartial news reporting.
Clarity is as important as accuracy
Journalists must write clearly as well as accurately using accessible language that the audience can understand.
Unconscious bias and journalism
Bias is a prejudice for or against a group, often leading to unfair judgements. While it's a normal human trait, understanding our biases is vital for fairness.
Dealing with algorithmic bias in news
Journalists need to be trained in how to recognise and deal with algorithm bias in order to counter the speed and scale at which biased content spreads.
The importance of diverse perspectives
Diverse perspectives and facts are vital for accurate journalism, helping to reveal the true complexity behind the news through varied viewpoints.
Lateral reading
When it comes to fact-checking and adding context to news articles, journalists need to apply ‘lateral reading’ in order to broaden their knowledge.
Handling story leaks and tip-offs
A critical factor for journalists when handling and disseminating leaked material is the need to take account of the motives of the leaker.
Related learning resources
Quick Guide: Evidence-based reporting
Journalists should always rely on facts rather than feelings. Evidence-based reporting means your stories are built on data, documents, and witness accounts.
Quick Guide: Story leaks and tip-offs
This checklist sets out how journalists should handle story leaks and tip-offs, starting with the essential first step: verifying the source.
Exercise: Editorialising is not for news
Learn to recognise and avoid editorialising in news reporting. Ensure accuracy and fairness by keeping a clear line between facts and opinions.
Exercise: Understanding unconscious bias
This exercise is designed to help journalists understand how unconscious bias can undermine journalistic integrity and distort how news is covered.
Exercise: Fact-checking in news
True journalism requires more than just gathering news. We rigorously examine every detail to maintain the highest factual standards.
Workshop: The importance of clarity in news
Clear, accurate writing helps readers understand every word. We prioritise clarity and precision to keep our audience fully engaged.
Workshop: Editorialising is not for news
Journalists need to tell people, as plainly as possible, what is happening in the world. Every story should be fact-based. We must never add our own opinion.
Lesson: Accuracy in journalism
This free lesson plan is designed to help journalism students learn how to gather, assemble, and publish or broadcast information that has been thoroughly checked to ensure it is factual and accurate.
Lesson: Clarity is as important as accuracy
A lesson plan designed to help students understand the importance of clarity in their writing so that they produce news articles that the reader can understand.
Lesson: Editorialising is not for news
This lesson plan teaches students the importance of avoiding all forms of editorialising when producing news journalism.
Lesson: Unconscious bias and its impact on news
This lesson plan is is designed to help students recognise their own unconscious bias and find ways to avoid bias in their journalism.
Lesson: Handling story leaks and tip-offs
This one-day lesson plan is designed to teach students how to deal with story leaks and tip-offs. It's free for journalism trainers to download and adapt for their own purposes.
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The content on Media Helping Media (MHM) is released via Creative Commons BY NC SA 4.0.