LibGuides: Mass Communication and Media: Websites

Evaluating Sources

When you search for information, you're going to find lots of it ... but is it accurate and reliable? The CRAAP Test lists questions you can ask to determine if the information you have is credible and useful, or is it a bunch of ...?! Learn More

Currency: When was the information published or posted?
Relevance: Does the source relate to your topic? Is the writing level appropriate?
Authority: What can you learn about the author/sponsor of the information and his/her credentials?
Accuracy: Can you verify the information found in the source? Does the author cite sources?
Purpose: Is the information objective and impartial? Is the information someone's opinion? Are the author's facts backed up by evidence?

All about Media

American Journalism Review
Provides features, opinions and articles about all aspects of various types of media.
Columbia Journalism Review
This Web site provides reports about and criticism of the media.
Online Journalism Review
Blog focusing on journalism and digital media issues.

Media Organizations & Associations

Newspaper Association of America
NAA is a nonprofit organization representing nearly 2,000 newspapers and their multiplatform businesses in the United States and Canada. NAA members include daily newspapers, as well as non-dailies, other print publications and online products.
Headquartered near Washington, D.C., in Arlington, Va., the association focuses on the major issues that affect today's newspaper industry: public policy/legal matters, advertising revenue growth and audience development across the medium's broad portfolio of products and digital platforms.
Nielsen
Provides information and some research results on media consumption.
Poynter Institute
A resource for the teaching and training of journalists and media leaders; also provides media news and perspectives on journalism.

Documentaries

Merchants of Cool
This website and video take a look at the creators and marketers of popular culture for teenagers.
The Persuaders
This website and video provide an inside look into the world of advertising and marketing.
Growing up Online
This website and video explore the influence of the Internet on the experience of childhood and adolescence.
Digital Nation
An in-depth look at how digital media have changed our lives.

Statistics

Stats
Tools to help us understand the numbers behind the news
United States Census Bureau
U.S. demographic and economic data

On the Media

On the Media
Investigative and feature reports about what's going on in the media.