This document discusses the definition and standards of news. It states that news must be factual information that is verified and shared in the public interest. Fake news is a contradiction because if information is not factual, it is not news. The document then lists 10 common news values that help determine what makes something newsworthy, such as importance, prominence, human interest, conflict, and timeliness. It distinguishes between different types of misinformation: information that is unintentionally false, information that is deliberately and knowingly false, and information that is based in fact but used to deliberately mislead or harm. Finally, it discusses how the issues of fake news and disinformation can undermine trust in journalism and increase crackdowns on press freedom

3. “an activity guided by ethical
standards of verifiable information
shared in the public interest”

4. “verifiable information in the public
interest”

5. Information that does not meet these
standards should not be labeled
“news” at all. “Fake news” is an
oxymoron or a contradiction in
terms. If it is fake, it is not “news.”

6. 1. News values or drivers
2. Editorial Judgement
3. Audience Judgement

7. 1. Importance
Will the information affect the greater population? Does it have
direct implications on the lives of the public?
2. Prominence
Is the report about a well-known person, organization or
institution?

8. 3. Human Interest
Is the story about a unique or universal experience of the
human condition—a situation that the audience can relate or
empathize with?
4. Conflict
This may include physical, economic or social conflict, or
misunderstanding among people, institutions or countries.

9. 5. Change
What changes, for good or ill, do we need to know about?
6. Proximity
Did the event take place within or near the community or
country?

10. 7. Timeliness
Did it happen recently? Is it currently happening? Or will it be
happening soon?
8. Magnitude
How many people are affected by it?

11. 9. Relevance
Could it be of help to people? Does it have an impact on the
public?
10. Oddity/Unusualness
Is it strikingly out of the ordinary?

12. -the ability to use critical thinking
skills to judge the reliability and
credibility of news reports,
whether they come via print,
television or internet.
(Stony Brook Center)

14. Information is false, but the person
disseminating it believes that it is true.

16. Information is false, and the person
disseminating it knows it is false.
It is a deliberate, intentional lie.

18. Information is based on reality but
used to inflict harm.

21. ❖ Erosion of trust in journalism and journalists
❖ Loss of distinction between quality reporting
and disinformation
❖ Weakening of role of journalists as agents
for accountability

22. ❖ Crackdowns that undermine press freedom
and freedom of expression
❖ Malicious targeting of journalists

23. News Literacy is the ability to use critical thinking
skills to judge the reliability and credibility of news
reports, whether they come via print, television or
internet.
News Literacy plays a crucial role in combating the
information disorder.