OUTSIDE THE BOX
Separating Fact From Fiction
by Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig
I grew up with a statewide and a hometown paper: The Arizona Republic and The Phoenix Gazette. Back then, it was easy to trust the “news that was fit to print.” Radio, print, and broadcast journalists were individuals who knew how to ethically find, report, write, and/or produce news stories that were unbiased and balanced. These journalists were respected. But somewhere along the way, people began to question the integrity of journalists. Now the landscape is full of reporters who are untrained, who create background graphics in an attempt to convince viewers of their authenticity, and who share with their followers the latest news story in order to garner many views and interactions that translate to income on social platforms. These (my words) “pretend journalists” are typically known as (the buzzy title) “content creators.”
Let me clarify. Traditional news outlets still typically only hire professional journalists with the background, experience, and maturity to inform readers, viewers, and listeners about the news. When I talk about content creators, I and most trained journalists are referring to those on social media platforms who are leveraging a service that often creates and spreads inaccurate, misleading, and/or confusing news content. When people see a news story, they tend to believe it is accurate because a friend or a trusted account shared it. As we spend more and more time (collectively) on social platforms, many grow mistrusting of news that is reported elsewhere—or they ignore it altogether for content that is exciting and emotion-driven.
I am happy to say there are content creators whose goal is to provide accurate news and information via social media, but they are often creatives who take the time to do the research, vetting and producing work that represents them and gives justice to the news media industry. Sadly, because of downsizing and budget cuts by media corporations, many trained journalists have had to move to this form of storytelling to make a living. After seeing this happen to so many friends and colleagues and getting upset at all of the fake news consumed, shared, and relied on these days, I decided to step in.
In 2019, I created my own media-related company, MFC3 Media, which is the umbrella for my contract writing, graphic design, social media work, and more. In 2025, I began helping people of all ages learn about content that was real versus what was not, as well as how to navigate it. I primarily have done work in this area at no charge because it matters that much to me. Allow me to share some of my tips, advice, and knowledge with you.
LEARNING ABOUT NEWS LITERACY
Let’s begin with a trusted source for more than 250 years. Britannica defines news literacy as being able to use quality journalism standards to determine the credibility of information. It teaches people how to think critically versus what to think. “It helps foster healthy skepticism of ‘fake news’ while avoiding cynical distrust of all news and information,” the entry reads (britannica.com/topic/What-is-news-literacy-and-why-does-it-matter). To start, you should determine if what you are seeing is unbiased news or if it is opinion (as this column is), satire (such as The Onion), paid advertising written in a traditional news format, or propaganda, which is meant to influence public opinion or prey on people’s attitudes, beliefs, or emotions.
You know this saying: “If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.” Except when it’s not. The Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University in New York teaches students what news literacy is and is not, as well as why we are at a point in history when confusion can sometimes rule (centerfornewsliteracy.org/what-is-news-literacy). Let’s look at some examples of challenges to news literacy that the center puts forth.
Information Overload
It’s no wonder people may be confused about what they are consuming when we have 24/7/365 news cycles and the ways media is presented have expanded. Unfortunately, with a country in chaos and a largely partisan administration, many people are second-guessing what they hear and see. The Big Three original news organizations (ABC, CBS, and NBC) still offer quality journalism. Additionally, NewsData.io (newsdata.io) provides a list I can agree with. For easy-to-read graphics on trustworthiness, check out The QuickList (fastestvpn.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-QuickList-New-1.webp) and Media Bias Chart: Through the Years (adfontesmedia.com/gallery). To compare political biases in reporting (we all have implicit biases), visit AllSides Media Bias Chart (allsides.com/media-bias/media-bias-chart).
AI
I used to fear AI, but now I use it for research and personal projects on a regular basis. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how much it has been incorporated into (aka infiltrated) almost everything we use online. Some creators who use AI to convey their messages will abuse your trust by sensationalizing a mix of content, graphics, and accuracy. This is not real news. I found one site where you can “break” your own news. It allows anyone interested in playing the role of a journalist to use a template, find (or fabricate) a news story, and fill in the prompts, and then you have a breaking news video you can post to any social platform. You can even make your own newspaper at one generator site I found.
It is one thing to create something fun and label it as such (i.e., satire). However, someone who has not researched, vetted, or interviewed sources and then writes or produces news is exactly the person many professional journalists fear. Award-winning journalist Shari Berg nails it when it comes to the role of a journalist: “Perfect objectivity may be impossible, but the discipline of suppressing bias through rigorous process is what separates journalism from commentary” (linkedin.com/posts/shariberg_theres-no-such-thing-as-an-unbiased-journalist-share-7415408462450647040-muza).
Getting to Be First
Since June 1, 1980, when CNN launched its 24-hour news service, the race for breaking a story first has only gotten more competitive with every new iteration of production. With the global reach of social media, the conflict between accuracy and speed has intensified. “We all want information as quickly as possible, but accelerating the consumption and sharing of information, especially on social media, has increased the chances that the information will be wrong,” the Center for News Literacy shares.
PEOPLE I TRUST
The following are a few from my own list of professionally trained journalists and social media journalists I personally follow: Brandon Gillespie (tiktok.com/@brandonamerica; read my interview with him in my May/June 2025 column via infotoday.com/it/may25/Fitzhugh-Craig--Managing-Your-Social-Media-Use.shtml), Rachel Janfaza (theupandup.us), Don Lemon (donlemon.com), Janai Norman (tiktok.com/@janai), Aaron Parnas (parnasnews.com), and Joy Reid (joyannreid.com). Keep in mind that humans make mistakes, and no one is perfect. But as with professional journalists who are serious about their craft, they understand that their role is to inform the public with news and information that is presented with balance, accuracy, and the intention of being unbiased foremost in mind.
FACT-CHECKING
For a quick looksee in real time as to whether any news content you are viewing is the truth, I recommend Snopes (snopes.com), FactCheck.org (factcheck.org), and/or PolitiFact (politifact.com). Just like with one’s health, a second opinion never hurts. |
