This blog post, written by members of the Library's Information Integrity Team, is part of a series that covers disinformation and other related subjects. The goal is to help create a well-informed citizenry of active participants who shape our world.
Find other InfoIntegrity blog posts here!
Today it is easier than ever to look up news and read about what is happening around the world, wherever you may live. As information professionals, it is our hope that you are getting your news from a verified source, rather than from an article or video that was forwarded to you on social media and may have questionable provenance. Having good sources for the media you may be reading is always encouraged. As librarians, we are here to help.
The library holds a vast collection of physical media sources that discuss the news of the day, including books, newspapers, and magazines. We also provide free access to digital resources such as the New York Times with your library card.
Here in southern Arizona there are many local news outlets that are dedicated to reporting what is happening in the region when it comes to local topics like environmental issues, local politics, or the culture of the region, something that national news outlets do not often commit to doing for a variety of reasons.
To most effectively navigate the vast media resources available to us, understanding the ever-changing media landscape is important. We must be willing to build the appropriate skills and use the tools available to know how to best consume and evaluate information presented to us, ask critical questions, avoid manipulation, and engage in digital spaces safely and confidently.
Below is a list of news organizations who regularly cover what is happening here in southern Arizona. While in no way is it a definitive list, the selection serves as an example of what resources exist locally along with some corresponding information that illustrates how those organizations are funded, where they are based, and their connections to the communities they serve. Hopefully these resources help with navigating news sources and understanding to a degree where those stories come from.
Sources
The Arizona Republic (print) / azcentral.com
A part of the USA Today Network, headquartered in New York City, it is the largest U.S. newspaper publisher as measured by total daily circulation. The company operates over 200 local newspapers and media brands, covering 42 states.
Arizona Luminaria
An independent nonprofit newsroom dedicated to local news and community-centered journalism.
Arizona Mirror
An independent nonprofit news organization dedicated to state coverage, the organization behind it is States Newsroom who has newsrooms in 39 states.
AZPM is an independent, not-for-profit service of the University of Arizona, funded through support of members, underwriting, and support from the University of Arizona.
The Copper Courier
An Arizona-based newsroom staffed by local journalists. The parent company is Courier Newsroom has 10 state-based newsrooms across the country.
Green Valley News | Sahuarita Sun
Owned by Wick Communications, which owns 30 newspapers in 10 states.
KGUN 9 News
Tucson area television news broadcaster, owned by Scripps Media, which currently owns or operates 62 television stations in forty-three markets.
KVOA News 4
Tucson area television news broadcaster, owned by Allen Media Group, which controls 33 stations across the United States.
Pima County Newsroom
The official website for Pima County, which includes a newsroom with press releases and updates on county government activities and initiatives.
The Pima Post
The Pima Post has existed under different names since 1970 and serves the students and staff of Pima Community College along with the residents of Southern Arizona. The Pima Post operates out of Pima Community College’s West Campus in Tucson, Arizona
The Arizona Daily Star
Tucson’s daily newspaper, owned by Lee Enterprises, Inc., based in Davenport, Iowa, is a publicly traded company. It publishes 72 daily newspapers in 25 states, and more than 350 weekly, classified, and specialty publications.
City of Tucson
The City of Tucson's website provides news and press releases about municipal government, city initiatives, and public services.
Tucson Local Media
A webpage that publishes articles that appear in print in publications such as Desert Times, Explorer, Foothills News, Inside Tucson Business, Lovin' Life, Marana News, Tucson Weekly. Owned by Times Media Group who owns 80 publications across three states (AZ, CA, CO).
KOLD News 13/KMSB Fox News
Tucson area television news broadcaster owned by Gray Communications Systems, the company is the third-largest television station operator in the United States by number of stations, owning or operating 180 stations across the United States in 113 markets.
Tucson Sentinel
An independent nonprofit newsroom in Tucson, AZ and focuses on the community & culture of the Borderlands region.
The Daily Wildcat
A student-run and editorially-independent news outlet serving the University of Arizona and greater Tucson since 1899.
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