1. Look for Established Institutions
The internet is full of websites that were started five minutes ago. What you want are sites associated with trusted institutions that have been around for a while and have a proven track record of reliability and integrity.
Such sites may include those run by government agencies, nonprofit organizations, foundations, or colleges and universities.
2. Look for Sites with Expertise
You wouldn't go to an auto mechanic if you broke your leg, and you wouldn't go to the hospital to have your car repaired. This is an obvious point: Look for websites that specialize in the kind of information you're seeking. So if you're writing a story on a flu outbreak, check out medical websites, such as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and so on.
3. Steer Clear of Commercial Sites
Sites run by companies and business—their websites usually end in .com—are more often than not trying to sell you something. And if they're trying to sell you something, chances are whatever information they're presenting will be tilted in favor of their product. That's not to say corporate sites should be excluded entirely. But be wary.
4. Beware of Bias
Reporters write a lot about politics, and there are plenty of political websites out there. But many of them are run by groups that have a bias in favor of one political party or philosophy. A conservative website isn't likely to report objectively on a liberal politician, and vice versa. Steer clear of sites with a political ax to grind and instead look for ones that are non-partisan.
5. Check the Date
As a reporter, you need the most up-to-date information available, so if a website seems old, it's probably best to steer clear. One way to check: Look for a "last updated" date on the page or site.
