Choose Sources That Disagree
Select news sources with different viewpoints. Do not pick only those you agree with. A diverse set of sources gives a fuller picture of an event. For example, include one left-leaning, one right-leaning, and one neutral or international outlet.
Today, open three tabs on the same news story. Pick sources you know have different editorial stances. This exercise helps you see how reporting can vary.
Identify Common Facts
Scan all selected articles for agreed-upon facts. These are details reported by every source. They include dates, locations, names, and confirmed event sequences. These points form the factual backbone of your briefing.
Look for the 'who, what, when, where' elements that consistently appear. Write these down as bullet points. This helps separate confirmed information from interpretation.
Flag Claims Appearing in Only One Source
Note any significant claims or interpretations found in just one article. These single-source claims may be unique insights, speculation, or biased framing. They require more scrutiny.
When summarising, state that these claims come from a specific source. For example, write: 'Source X claims Y, but other outlets do not mention this.' This shows you are aware of potential bias or incomplete information. Use this method in your next briefing.
Keep Your Briefing Short
A briefing is not a full report. It should be easy to read quickly. Aim for conciseness. Focus on the most important points from your fact-finding.
Draft your briefing to be no more than two to three paragraphs. Use bullet points for key facts. Read it aloud to yourself. If it feels too long, cut more words. Consider using a tool like LocalBridge to send all your open tabs to an AI, then ask it to create a brief summary focused on agreed facts and unique claims. This speeds up the process significantly. You can refine the AI's output for brevity.