It is so hard to find reliable news sources these days. They either involve too much politics or they have too much gossip. It’s hard to tell when the opinions end and when the facts start; for example, asking someone where they got their information from and they say TikTok.

That makes us cringe.

Don’t get us wrong, we are all for TikTok — just not as a reliable news source. Tik Tok, as well as a lot of other media platforms, is filled with opinion-based news. Even worse, some revert to what was once known as Yellow Journalism; today, we call is “misinformation” or “fake news.”

And for many, it is becoming the norm. According to the Pew Research Center, “a large majority of U.S. adults (86%) say they at least sometimes get news from a smartphone, computer or tablet, including 57% who say they do so often.” What makes a news source reliable? We, The Viking Views, have some suggestions.

Know the publisher. Some publishers are known for their opinion-based media. Obtaining all your information from an opinion-driven, poltically-based news channel probably isn’t a good idea. When deciding on news sources, pay attention to language. Factual reporting typically uses neutral terms and provides evidence [direct quotes, statistics or documented events]. Opinions will include emotional language, assumptions, or personal interpretations.

Now, opinion-based articles do still exist in both newspapers — and they should. However, while opinion pieces can offer valuable perspectives, they shouldn’t be confused with objective reporting. Additionally, opinionated pieces typically have headlines that do not read as statements of fact.

For example, an objective article may have a headline such as “Tech Company Releases Latest Smartphone with Improved Battery Life and Camera Features,” while an opinionated article may choose “Overhyped Phone Launch Fails to Impress Despite New Camera Features.” You can tell the tone simply by the headline.

Fact check. Fact check. Fact check.

It’s really important to check information across multiple reliable sources. If a few trustworthy news outlets are all saying the same thing, there’s a good chance it’s true. Don’t just trust the first article you see, especially if it sounds too perfect or lines up exactly with what you already believe. That could be a sign of bias, or that the story is leaving out important facts.

Sometimes we fall into what’s called “confirmation bias,” where we only pay attention to things that match our opinions. Social media can make this worse by showing us more of what we already like or agree with, which means we might not even realize we’re not getting the full picture.

To get a more accurate view, it helps to read different sources and hear other sides of the story, even if you don’t always agree with them. Pay attention to how a story is written. Is it just trying to inform, or is it trying to convince you of something? Real news usually sticks to facts and makes it clear when something is an opinion.

We, The Viking Views, believe the truth isn’t always loud or flashy, and it definitely doesn’t come with a dance challenge. Real news might not go viral, but it will keep you engaged and well-informed. Before you share, like or repost, take a step back and ask yourself: Is this fact or just someone’s take?

Being informed isn’t about picking a side, it’s about knowing what’s actually going on. Stay curious, stay skeptical, stay smart. In a world full of noise, being able to tell fact from fiction isn’t just a skill. It’s a superpower.