Media and

Information Sources
REGINA HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION
Where did you get the news and what you know
about it.
Are these coming from different sources –
newspaper, magazine, social media, TV, Internet.
Ask them to note the differences and similarities
between the information gathered in each source.
• Reliability of information - Information is said to be reliable if it
can be verified and evaluated. Others refer to the trustworthiness
of the source in evaluating the reliability of information.
• Accuracy of information - Accuracy refers to the closeness of the
report to the actual data. Measurement of accuracy varies,
depending on the type of information being evaluated. Forecasts
are said to be accurate if the report is similar to the actual data.
Financial information is considered accurate if the values are
correct, properly classified, and presented.
• Value of information - Information is said to be of value if it aids
the user in making or improving decisions.
• Authority of the source - Much of the information we gather
daily do not come from a primary source but are passed on
through secondary sources such as writers, reporters, and the
like. Sources with an established expertise on the subject
matter are considered as having sound authority on the subject.
• Timeliness - Reliability, accuracy, and value of information may
vary based on the time it was produced or acquired. While a
piece of information may have been found accurate, reliable, and
valuable during the time it was produced, it may become
irrelevant and inaccurate with the passing of time (thus making
it less valuable).
Activity
In an activity sheet, answer what is being asked for your group.
1. What are the types of libraries?
2. What skills should one have in accessing information from libraries?
3. What are the characteristics of libraries in terms of reliability,
accuracy and value?
4. What skills should be had in determining the reliability
of information?
5. What skills should be had in determining accurate
information?
Types of libraries
a. Academic
b. Public
c. School
d. Special

*These libraries may be either digital or

physical in form
Skills in accessing information from
libraries
1. The access tool to use
2. How the information being accessed may be
classified
3. The depth of details required--some libraries
provide only an abstract of the topic
4. More detailed information might require
membership or some conformity to set rules of
the source (ex databases).
Characteristics of libraries in terms
of reliability, accuracy and value
• Libraries of published books are often considered
highly reliable, accurate, and valuable.
• Books and documents from dominant sources are
often peer reviewed.
• ISSN or ISBN registration ensures that standards
were followed in producing these materials.
Skills determining the reliability of
information
a. Check the author. The author’s willingness to be
identified is a good indication of reliability.
b. Check the date of publication or of update. While
the information may be true, it may not be
reliable if it is outdated and may have lost
relevance.
c. Check for citations. Reliable authors have the
discipline of citing sources of their information.
Skills determining the reliability of
information
d. Check the domain or owner of the site or page. The
domains .edu and .gov are reserved for academic
institutions and the government respectively.
Information from such sites are presented with
caution and are usually well-grounded. Site owners
may have an agenda that affects the manner by
which information is presented.
e. Check the site design and the writing style.
Credible sources take time to make their information
accessible and easy to comprehend.
Skills in determining accurate
information
a. Look for facts.
b. Cross-reference with other sources to check for
consistency.
c. Determine the reason for writing and publishing
the information. Check if the author is objective
or leaning heavily on a certain point of view.
d. Check for advertising. Advertisers may use
related information to market their product.
Assignment
Through a blog, discuss the importance of
indigenous media and information
comprehensibly.