FDU LibGuides: Communication Subject Guide: Relevant Websites

Helpful Websites

Scholarly & Professional Information
Primary Sources & Live Events

Annenberg Public Policy Center
Since 1993 the Annenberg Public Policy Center has studied Americans’ political knowledge, discourse, media use, and opinions about candidates and issues. Its work has included an annual Constitution Day Civics Survey, the National Annenberg Election Survey, studies of presidential debates and incivility in Congress, and research into best practices for debunking misinformation.
Columbia Journalism Review
CJR’s mission is to be the intellectual leader in the rapidly changing world of journalism. It is the most respected voice on press criticism, and it shapes the ideas that make media leaders and journalists smarter about their work. Through its fast-turn analysis and deep reporting, CJR is an essential venue not just for journalists, but also for the thousands of professionals in communications, technology, academia, and other fields reliant on solid media industry knowledge.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
An independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, the Commission is the federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing America’s communications law and regulations. The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
Freedom Forum Institute
The Freedom Forum Institute, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is the education and outreach partner of the Freedom Forum and the Newseum. The Institute includes the First Amendment Center, the Religious Freedom Center, the Newseum’s education department (NewseumED), special initiatives such as the Power Shift Project, and diversity and inclusion programs. The Institute also supports ongoing programming at the Newseum, including the annual rededication of the Journalist’s Memorial, and “Inside Media” interviews and presentations.
Gallup Poll
An organization best known for its public opinion polls, the results of which are often referenced in the media. Polls are both national and international in scope, and are used to identify public opinion trends over time.
Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas
The Knight Center for Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin is a professional training and outreach program for journalists in Latin America and the Caribbean. Their training programs have benefited thousands of journalists and journalism professors throughout the Americas.
Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project
Reports on the impact of the internet on families, communities, work and home, daily life, education, health care, and civic and political life.
Media News from the Poynter Institute
News highlights from the website of the Poynter Institute, which is a school in St. Petersburg, Florida, dedicated to teaching and inspiring journalists and media leaders.
Statistical Assessment Service (STATS)
STATS is a collaborative project with the American Statistical Association to improve statistical literacy among journalists, academic journal editors, and researchers.

American Public Media Reports
APM Reports strives to raise awareness, trigger debate and prompt positive change via non-partisan, independent investigative and documentary journalism.
Footage.net
Footage.net is the world's premier online video stock footage search platform providing instant access to millions of online screening clips and text record from the world's top footage collections on a single site. Discover and obtain the world's best stock footage, including network news footage, premium stock footage and archival footage.
Pew Research Center's State of the News Media
Data and trends about key sectors in the U.S. news media industry
National Press Club Speakers
A private club for journalists and communications professionals located in Washington D.C. Hosts more than 2,000 news-related events each year, including a popular "Luncheon Speakers" series.
Newseum Events
The "Programs" page for the Newseum -- a 250,000-square-foot museum of news located in Washington, D.C. Events are scheduled throughout the year, and include screenings as well as lectures by key news figures.
The Paley Center for Media
With split locations in New York and Los Angeles, the Paley Center helps facilitate discussions of the "cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public." The website includes a "screening room" section with clips from live interviews of notable media figures.
The Opper Project
The Opper Project, named after Ohioan Frederick Burr Opper, the first great American-born cartoonist, is an on-line collection of historic editorial cartoons. Covering more than one hundred years of American history, the cartoons are organized topically with associated lesson plans.

When using resources from the web, you must carefully evaluate the source before utilizing its content. The following criteria can help you evaluate resources:

Domain - The quality of information and the type of URL are interrelated. A ".gov" or ".edu" URL is more trustworthy than a ".com" or ".net". A ".org" URL will require deeper investigation, as it then depends on the type of organization.

Authority - Is the author's name visible? What are the author's credentials? Is contact information for the author available?

Currency - Is the website up to date? Websites with information that is updated regularly are preferable to those that are left out-of-date or recycled too often.

Bias - Anyone can create informational content online. Look out for a works cited list and advertisements to evaluate the bias and possible inaccuracies in the information.

Origin - How did you find this source? Was it recommended by a faculty member, cited in a scholarly journal article, or linked by another trustworthy website? Where you got this information can indicate how reliable it might be.

Functionality - If the website contains broken links, is difficult to navigate, and malfunctions often, then it reflects poorly on the credibility of the information.

How do you know if you have found reliable information? The CRAAP Test is a list of questions that you can use to evaluate the information that you find.

Currency: the timeliness of the information

When was the information published or posted?
Has the information been revised or updated?
Is the information current or out-of-date for your topic?
Are the links functional?

Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs

Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
Who is the intended audience?
Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority: the source of the information

Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
- examples: .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (U.S. government), .org (nonprofit organization), or .net (network)

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

Where does the information come from?
Is the information supported by evidence?
Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?
Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

Purpose: the reason the information exists

What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?

Communication Subject Guide: Relevant Websites

Helpful Websites

Evaluating Resources

Metropolitan Library

Florham Library