ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the concept of digital source criticism in detail. It starts with a basic concept known as the SIFT model that is an easy approach for anyone to evaluate claims and sources online. It goes on to elaborate on the foundations of the original methodological concept of source criticism as it is practised in Scandinavia today. It then bridges this to journalistic practice and the elements of source criticism that are considered most central to journalism: representativity, currency, bias and relevance. From here, the book introduces one of its core arguments: that the traditional way of doing source criticism can be outright dangerous when working with digital information sources, and that new considerations, approaches, tools and methods must be adopted to successfully navigate today’s digital information landscape. It then introduces the method of digital source criticism and outlines the epistemological framework and its link to the concept of “digital methods” from internet research. It then introduces the term “network reading” to describe a concept where the viewer browses the Internet to find out what other sources says about a source in question, to best understand and prepare for what one is about to watch or read online. Several strategies for evaluating information are suggested, and the chapter ends with a series of questions for reflection and exercises.
