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Election Law: Fact Checking Information

Misinformation vs Disinformation

What is the difference between misinformation and disinformantion? The UN has defined misinformation as the accidental spread of inaccurate information. Disinformation is not only inaccurate information, it intends to deceive and is spread to do serious harm. Disinformation can be spread by state or non-state actors. (United Nations, Countering Disinformation https://www.un.org/en/countering-disinformation) 

 

Vetting Sources

The CRAAP test was developed by a librarian, Sarah Blakeslee, at Meriam Library California State University, Chico. 

C- currency: The timeliness of the info

R - relevance: how the info fits your needs

A- authority: source of the info

A- accuracy: reliability and correctness of the info

P- purpose: the reason the info exists. 

 

Online Resources

The following resources provide information to make informed decisions:

  • League of Women Voters The League is a political grassroots network and membership organization that believes the freedom to vote is a nonpartisan issue.
  • Ballotpedia Ballotpedia is the digital encyclopedia of American politics, and the nation’s premier resource for unbiased information on elections, politics, and policy.
  • Factcheck.org. This is a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. Factcheck.org monitors the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases.
  • Opensecrets.org Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, OpenSecrets is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy.

Reputable News Sources

The following news sources are considered as credible and relatively free of bias. These sources also adhere to the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists, and provide own statement of ethics or code of conduct. NOTE: Opinion pieces or editorials may not represent the positions of the source.

  • Associated Press An independent global news organization dedicated to accurate and unbiased reporting.
  • BBC News From the U.K., but covers significant or interesting American and global news stories, as well.
  • The Guardian A British daily newspaper with a reputation as a "newspaper of record" for the U.K.
  • Reuters One of the largest news agencies in the world, Reuters covers global news with an emphasis on stories from the Western hemisphere.

Both Lexis and Westlaw have legal news coverage

  • Lexis - Law360 Access to Lexis+ requires a subscription. Researchers must use their own login credentials to access legal content. 
  • Westlaw Today Access to Westlaw Precision requires a subscription. Researchers must use their own login credentials to access legal content.