News Sources

What is "credible" news?

Quality journalism provides the public with accurate information, analysis, and comment so they can make informed decisions and participate in democracy. Quality journalism helps protect citizenry by making the government and the private sector accountable. Investigative journalism in particular aims to expose corruption and malfeasance in government and in private institutions. Propublica is an example of an investigative news organization. 

Established newspapers of record can lose their reputation due to financial collapse, take-over or merger by another entity that did not have the same standards or allowed increased government control and suppression of the paper's editorial independence. 

Misinformation is spread with the intent to mislead the public for financial or political gain. False stories that are widely accessed and shared through social media (often with bots or automated accounts) can generate substantial advertising revenue for their purveyors, but they can also inflict lasting social and political harm in the process.

For credible news, it is best to seek out outlets which are well-staffed with reporters, and which follow a strict, fact-checked editorial process. Outlets might include broadcasting services such as National Public Radio, press services such as Reuters or Associated Press, or international “newspapers of record” such as The Guardian. 

These types of newspapers generally require a paid subscription for access. But you can access a number of "newspapers of record" for free through through our library databases--including National Newspaper Core, U.S. Major Dailies--in one search. Watch this video on how to use this database.

And Explore this guide for links to a variety of local, independent, national and international news!

Enter your Olympic College email address and password to access databases.