Klurfeld and Schneider's news literacy course at Stony Brook University (see below) provides an acronym for students to use when evaluating news sources. A reliable news source should be VIA:

• Verifiable,
• Independent
• Accountable.

Continue reading for details and examples of each of these elements, or learn more about all of them in the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics (below).

A good news source relies on credible sources and double checks details to ensure accuracy. Take steps to see if you can verify the information in the source you are looking at by comparing it to other reliable sources.

• Check out the sources (people, documents, and so on) your news story relies on for its information. Are they authoritative? Are they presented in context?
• Do a two-source check by comparing your news story to one or more stories from other reliable sources. Are the major details the same? What does each story include, and what do they leave out?

In order to retain its ability to challenge outside influencers and stay committed to reporting for the public good, a news source should avoid conflicts of interest and clearly disclose those that cannot be avoided. In journalism, conflicts of interest may include:

• Accepting favors or special treatment from sources or organizations.
• Providing favors or special treatment to sources, advertisers, or the organization's parent company.
• Participating in political or other outside activities that might compromise a story.

Accountable Sources

High-quality news sources make a deliberate effort to be responsible for their content and to invite the public into that process. Being accountable in journalism includes:

• Responding to questions of accuracy, clarity, and fairness.
• Correcting mistakes and making clarifications.
• Encouraging public discourse about journalism, including explaining their own processes and decisions.