Different Methods for Fact Checking in Citizen Journalist Articles

For citizen journalists, fact-checking is imperative. If an article displays outdated or incorrect information, then the writer immediately loses credibility. There are several dos and don'ts for citizen journalists to remember when writing. Take a look at the don'ts first.

DON'T:

1. Assume anything, especially that you have all the correct information about a specific subject unless you are a professional in that field. It never hurts anyone to double check their facts with reliable sources.

2. Use sources from "wiki" anything. Websites that have content that "anyone can edit" is not 100% reliable. I'm not saying that all the information is wrong. But, when I've double checked some "wiki" sources from these sites against trustworthy experts, I have found discrepancies. As a writer with very little time to put pen to paper, I have dropped "wiki" informants from my list.

DO:

1. Consult encyclopedias.

2. Use dictionaries to make sure you use the correct terminology.

3. Go to the library. The reference section has a wealth of information from accredited sources.

4. Call a professional. If you're looking for information on the next meteor shower, call an astronomer. Where do you find one? See if the nearest university has a planetarium or a professor who specializes in astronomy. If all else fails, contact someone from NASA.

5. Talk to a government official if you need to know his or her stand on certain issues that you're writing about. If you can't get in touch with the actual person, their secretary can sometimes help relay information to you.

As a citizen journalist, your writing is only going to be as good as the amount of time you put into it. The harder you look for the truth, the more professional your work will be.

The great aspect of fact-checking is that sometimes you may come across a little gem of data that you didn't know about. This can give you an entire new lead on the story or set you up for an entire new story. When you're researching, whether reading a book or performing an interview, you must stay open-minded. During an interview, listen to what the other person is saying. They might have another nugget of knowledge that can lead you into an entire new area of the subject.

Staying open-minded about your topic matter and keeping your sources professional will develop your writing into a refined, skillfully written piece. Fact-checking is always necessary for citizen journalism articles. Next time you write, raise the bar in citizen journalism and fact-check like the professionals.