How to Spot Quality Journalism in the Information Age

In a digital world like ours, we have more and faster access to information than ever before. With a universe of media in our pocket-sized smartphones, it’s much easier, in many ways, to keep up with current events. But the way we consume journalism has also become more complex: it’s no longer as straightforward as scooping the Sunday paper off your front porch.

Every day, we can open our devices and choose from thousands of media outlets, ranging from big-name publications like the New York Times and The Washington Post to our campus newspaper, the Wheaton Record. Frankly, the buffet of options can feel more overwhelming than the 21-page menu at The Cheesecake Factory. Throw in the complicating factors like generative AI, fake news, personalized social media feeds, and political bias, and the challenge of wise news consumption can make us long for simpler times — or give up trying altogether.

There’s no need to fear. You are smarter and stronger than the wide world of bad media. Armed with your liberal arts critical thinking skills, and some awareness of the genre’s standards, you’re more than capable of spotting quality journalism

As an editor on the Wheaton Record and Writing Center consultant, I’m here to share a few basics of good journalistic writing. Read on to know what to look for as you explore news sources

Good journalists care about paying attention — to their surroundings and their sources.

Journalism is all about keeping people aware of what’s happening in their world. Whether at the small-scale, like the Record’s coverage of campus events, or at the international scale, a journalist’s job requires them to keep their eyes and ears open to stories happening around them. Here are three ways that attentiveness shows up in journalistic writing:

1. Timeliness and relevance. News publications prioritize stories that matter for their readers’ immediate contexts. When they see a story to tell, they act quickly so they can inform the public as soon as possible.
2. Picking up details. Skillful reporters make every effort to get first-hand knowledge of the stories they cover so they can observe all the information their readers might possibly need. Only after that can they decide what goes into the finished product.
3. Gathering sources. Similarly to the previous point, reporters will often spend time networking with many types of sources to get a wide array of perspectives on the story.

Good journalists care about meeting their audience’s immediate needs. 

All effective writing caters to the reader, but journalism stands out among the genres as one of the most clearly audience-oriented styles out there. Unlike the research papers you write for class or the hefty Bible commentaries on your pastor’s bookshelf, journalism targets the general public. Plumbers and professors alike rely on reporters for knowledge about their world.

1. Anticipating questions. Perhaps the best way to explain this point is by an example of the opposite, so think back to the last clickbait video title you saw on YouTube. “YOU’LL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT THIS STRANGER SAID TO A TACO BELL EMPLOYEE,” for instance, purposefully raises more questions than answers. By contrast, strong journalism anticipates the questions a reader will have and answers them clearly.

1. Straightforward structure. That last point also informs the structure of journalistic writing. Some questions matter more to readers than others, especially those that address danger or casualties. That’s why news reporters use an inverted pyramid structure: the fast facts come first and the rest follows. That said, not all journalism is news, and other types, though similarly simple, differ in structure.
2. Accessible language. Thoughtful journalists keep their writing friendly to the general public by avoiding jargon, cliches, and fanciful or wandering sentences.

Good journalists care about objectivity.

Many people maintain that true objectivity is impossible — and plenty of examples in the media today seem to be proving their point. But there’s still plenty of strong journalism out there, and objectivity still matters to those who write it. So what does that entail, exactly? A few things:

1. Accuracy and precision. Journalists know that their words have power, and misinformation can be dangerous. For that reason, reporters and editors double- and triple-check the facts, and they make sure to attribute anything that isn’t common knowledge to a source. Passing off information without one can get publications into hot water.  
2. Fairness and balance. Every story sounds a little different depending on who tells it — that’s no secret. Journalists, therefore, make an effort to equitably represent multiple voices where possible, taking care not to highlight one “side” or opinion over another.
3. Impartiality. Traditional journalism strives to be informative rather than persuasive in nature. By and large, journalistic writers try to avoid inserting their own opinions into a story. They maintain an impersonal tone and only include the opinions of their sources.

Conclusion

There you have it: three categories of journalistic standards to look for in your reading. This list isn’t exhaustive or definitive. Writers in this fast-changing world are always trying new things and pushing the boundaries of genre, so if you encounter journalism that doesn’t subscribe to one or multiple of these points, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s poor quality. The important things are to keep your thinking caps on and taste-test from a variety of sources.

What would you add to this list? Which points would you challenge? If this article has inspired you to read more journalism, or even write some of your own, follow that nudge! Sample the journalistic work of your fellow students on the Wheaton Record website, or look for ways to apply the above ideals to your own personal, professional and academic writing. And, as always, take full advantage of the Writing Center in all of your writing endeavors.