Citing Public Records Makes News Stories More Credible

The Brechner Freedom of Information Project reports that a new study shows the benefits of using public records in journalism. 

According to the Project: “A new study published in the International Journal of Press/Politics indicates that if journalists cite public records as sources in their news stories then readers will view the stories as more credible and informative than citing other sources, including social media and academic experts.
 
The online experiment with 1,210 U.S. residents found that when information in news stories is attributed to public records obtained through freedom of information requests, readers found the stories more credible and informative than the same stories citing social media, academic experts, or no sources. Stories citing social media as sources were perceived the least credible – equivalent to not citing any sources at all.”