The investigative process by which a news organization gathers, assesses, confirms and weighs evidence in service to the search for truth.

Acronym used in the course to stand for Verification, Independence, and Accountability. Reliable information has all three of these characteristics.

Events as they actually happened, phenomena as they actually exist, the universe as it actually exists, independent of what we have so far been able to learn of it. The term stands in contrast to Scie [..]

A statement of probability proportional to the evidence, which will change over time, as further research changes our understanding daily of everything from the size of the largest dinosaur to the nat [..]

The process of distorting or “forgetting” incoming information if it does not match a person’s particular point of view.

The bedrock method of deconstruction: Each source in a news report is evaluated using the “IMVAIN” rubric:

The process of misattributing comforting information to a more respectable source.

When reporters share how they know what they know, what they don’t know and why.

Allows the news consumer to make a decision, take action or share responsibly with others. It has all three of these characteristics: Verification, Independence and Accountability.

Information that has yet to be examined or verified. It is unfiltered information that bypasses traditional gatekeepers and mediators.