News literacy 101
Images by Bondé Angeline October 15, 2025
UD tips to tackle your day
In an era of endless headlines and hot takes, being news-literate isn’t about tuning out — it’s about tuning in with intention. Here’s how to build smarter habits from morning to night, so you can stay informed without getting overwhelmed or misled.
In the A.M.
Diversify: Peruse multiple sources to grasp what’s being emphasized and how. Sticking to one outlet (no matter which!) leads to gaps in understanding. AllSides.com helps parse media bias.
Subscribe to the News Literacy Project’s newsletter, newslit.org, approved by UD experts.
Flag ‘em: Use “read later” tools to mark articles for a deeper dive later on. When selecting an outlet to trust, look for an independent source with a history of accountability.
In the afternoon
Check in with social: Something going viral? Verify using a reverse image search or trusted fact-checker (PolitiFact). Follow reporters to see how they report — not just the end result.
Circle back: Go back to those earlier headlines to note whether they’ve been updated or corrected. (Make sure to differentiate between articles, opinion pieces, advertising and sponsored content.)
Engage in civil discussion over the watercooler. Test your interpretations against other people’s perspectives.
At night
Go long: Grab a cold one or cup of tea and dive into one of the in-depth articles you flagged earlier, or listen to a podcast to understand the backstory behind the headlines.
Avoid overexposure to breaking news with a good book or Netflix binge (we won’t tell).
Reflect on your own habits. Did the sources you relied on today challenge any assumptions?
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