There’s an old saying in journalism: “If your mother says she loves you, check it out.”

The adage underscores a fundamental aspect of responsible news reporting: the need to verify and fact-check all information, and bring a healthy dose of skepticism to even things that seem as obvious as a mother’s love.

I’ve never personally asked my mom to prove her love, but in my 18 years as a reporter, I have asked sources for documented proof that would make most people squirm, ranging from their tax returns and medical records to personal text messages and letters.

Asking for and verifying information has always been essential for journalists and those they work with, and although the process is evolving in the digital age, it remains a cornerstone of newsrooms.

Ellen Ruppel Shell, professor e

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