Automated news summaries are becoming common, and LAS News is one example. They can help you keep up with more stories in less time, but any news source, human or automated, deserves a critical reader. This guide offers a practical method for reading news well, using LAS News as an example of how to apply it. The habits here work for any site.
Know what kind of source you are reading
The first question is simple: who produced this, and how? A report from a reporter who was at the scene is different from a summary of other people's reports. LAS News is the second kind. It gathers reports from public sources, writes an original summary and credits the sources. That is useful for orientation, but it is not first-hand reporting. Knowing this helps you decide how much weight to give a story and when to go further.
Follow the source links
A credited source is only useful if you use it. When a story matters to you, open the linked source and read the original. Ask whether the summary reflects it fairly. Look for details that were dropped. A good habit is to read the summary first for the overall picture and then the source for the detail.
Look for confirmation
Important claims should be supported by more than one independent report. If a surprising claim appears in only one place, wait before sharing it. When many outlets report the same event, details that appear in all of them are more reliable than details that appear in one. LAS News groups reports about the same event, but you can still check how different outlets describe it.
Separate facts from opinion
A news report should tell you what happened. Opinion tells you what someone thinks about it. They are both valuable, but they are not the same. Pay attention to words that signal opinion, such as "should", "disaster" or "shocking". Quotes attributed to named people are claims by those people, not confirmed facts.
Check the date
Old stories resurface and get shared as though they were new. Check the publication date and whether the story has been updated. LAS News updates stories as new information emerges, so a story you read this morning may look different by evening. Treat developing news as unfinished.
Be careful with headlines and images
Headlines are short and can mislead, even by accident. Read past them. Images can be old, cropped or from another event. If a photo seems dramatic, ask where it came from.
Watch your own reactions
Stories that make you angry or afraid are the ones most likely to be shared without checking. If you notice a strong reaction, pause before passing it on. A minute of checking can stop a false claim spreading through a family group chat.
Use human reports too
Automation cannot be on the ground. That is why LAS News has an Eyewitness tab where readers can submit reports from where they are. First-hand accounts can add context that summaries cannot, though they also deserve careful reading, because one person sees only part of an event. Our FAQ explains how to contact us and submit Eyewitness reports.
A short checklist
- Who wrote this and how?
- What is the original source, and have I opened it?
- Is it confirmed elsewhere?
- Is this fact or opinion?
- When was it published or updated?
- Am I reacting emotionally, and should I check before sharing?
Tell us when something is wrong
No system is perfect, including ours. If you notice an error in a LAS News story, tell us, and it can be looked at. You can find our contact options on the contact page. To understand the pipeline behind the stories, read how LAS News gathers and rewrites news, and to read the news yourself, visit LAS News.
Written by Lawal Ayo. LAS G Concept is a Nigerian technology and media company. Questions? See the FAQ or contact us.