Gateway to…

Gateway Source Categories

JOURNALISTIC (A journalistic source reports the news and information that it considers important to its audience. It usually functions independently of news makers.)
Mainstream

• Large audience (more than 100,000 for print) or seeking a large audience in a region that may limit the size of the audience (eg. local newspaper)
• Intended to inform people who may have little experience with the topic
• Funded by advertising and subscription

Alternative

• Smaller, niche audience (less than 100,000 for print)
• Usually has a perspective that is targeted to the specific audience
• Usually funded by advertising and subscription. If it’s non-profit, the main intention of the non-profit should be publishing.

INSTITUTIONAL (An institutional source tries to make or shape policy. They tend to be news makers rather than news reporters.)
Business

• Created by a private business as part of the communication function of that business.
• May be created by a public relations or advertising company on contract for that business.
• Open records laws usually don’t apply.

Government

• Created as part of the function of a governmental body.
• For U.S. government websites, look for .gov as an indicator.
• Remember how the U.S. system of government works. Three branches: executive, legislative and judicial. How do those roles translate to state and local levels? What about other countries? What about other governments? What about the UN?

Nonprofit

• Seeks to shape public policy through advocacy for a specific position.
• Nonprofits work under strict tax rules that limit how they can use money raised from donors.
• Often their websites are indicated by .org.

ACADEMIC RESEARCH

• Established publication serving a community of researchers seeking to build knowledge about an area of inquiry
• Identify the funding institution for the research and for the publication or conference proceeding: usually government or business
• Consider methodology
• Academic research applies scientific method to how and what is studied

CITIZEN
Expert

• Someone who has extensive experience with the topic and is in a position to make or shape policy.
• Look for advanced degrees, years of experience, role in policy decisions (do they make the rules or do they enforce them?)

Stakeholder

• Someone who is directly affected by the policy or issue.
• May be an expert, they may have expertise, or they may also have little knowledge of bigger issues surrounding what’s affecting them.
• Real people telling real stories.

Witness

• Someone who saw the effects of the policy or issue but wasn’t necessarily affected by it.
• Journalists are professional witnesses.

Commentator

• Someone who reflects on the policy or issue.
• Journalists are the pros, but there are amateur commentators as well (see Blogs).