Read closely.
Ask better questions.

A short pause can reveal a misleading headline, an old event recirculating as new or a claim whose evidence is thinner than it first appears.

1. Read beyond the headline. Check whether the body supports the same conclusion and level of certainty.
2. Find the time and place. Distinguish the publication date from the date of the event being described.
3. Identify the evidence. Look for documents, data, direct observations or attributed accounts rather than repeated assertions.
4. Separate reporting from opinion. An editorial argues a position; a news report should make its factual basis clear.
5. Check what remains unresolved. Notice missing responses, uncertain figures and qualifications before passing the story on.

For a central claim, make a brief note under each heading below. If several answers are missing, that is a reason to look for more evidence before drawing a firm conclusion.

For numbers, record the unit, period and comparison base. A percentage without its denominator can sound precise while revealing very little.

Choose one subject covered by two publications, or by the print and digital editions of the same title. Keep the dates close enough for the comparison to be fair.

• Prominence: Where does the story appear, and how much space or attention does it receive?
• Framing: Which question does the headline ask or answer? What changes when you read the introduction?
• Evidence: Which documents, accounts or figures are included? Are they linked, quoted or simply mentioned?
• Range: Whose perspective is present, and which relevant experience is absent?
• Follow-through: Is there a later update, correction or return to the subject?

Different presentations do not automatically mean one publication is wrong. Identify the concrete difference in evidence, emphasis or completeness before reaching a judgement.

A clear correction identifies the affected report, describes the factual error and gives the accurate information. Readers should be able to understand the change without comparing hidden versions of a page.

Distinguish a correction from an update. A new development adds to the record; a correction repairs something that was wrong when published. A clarification can explain wording that was ambiguous even when the underlying fact was accurate.

When requesting a correction, quote the relevant passage, explain the precise problem and include verifiable supporting material. Keep unrelated disagreement with the article’s viewpoint separate from the factual issue.