ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York News Publishers Association is expanding its News Media Literacy/Newspapers in Education (NIE) program, a statewide initiative designed to help students develop the critical thinking skills needed to navigate today’s increasingly complex digital information environment.
As misinformation and AI-generated content become more common online, the program provides middle and high school educators with resources to help students distinguish fact from fiction. Led by Education Services Director Mary Miller, the initiative includes in-person workshops, virtual curriculum support and a monthly electronic newsletter for educators.
On March 6, Miller presented a professional development session at the George F. Johnson Memorial Library in Endicott for members of the Binghamton Area Reading Association. The session provided educators with practical strategies for teaching media literacy and helping students critically evaluate the information they see, read and share.
The following day, Miller presented a breakout session, “Preparing Students to Navigate Misinformation and AI,” at the New York State Council for the Social Studies annual convention in Binghamton. Key takeaways for educators included verifying sources, checking credibility, recognizing bias and understanding the perspective of the content creator and the importance of staying engaged — news literacy builds stronger citizens and stronger communities.
“Our goal is to help young people understand the ‘information neighborhoods’ they encounter every day,” Miller said. “By teaching students how to identify and verify credible reporting, we help them become informed and engaged digital citizens.”
Key elements of the program include:
NIE curriculum resources: Materials such as Understanding News Media, developed for students in grades 5–12 using content from the Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University. The curriculum focuses on evaluating the reliability and credibility of information across media platforms.
Monthly newsletter: A free electronic newsletter offering classroom-ready activities and resources, including materials for Sunshine Week, March 16–22, which promotes awareness of open government and freedom of information.
In-school workshops: Professional development sessions and student presentations that introduce techniques such as “lateral reading,” a verification strategy used by professional journalists.
Recent research shows that while 94% of teens believe news literacy should be taught in schools, many struggle to identify misinformation. Through the program, NYNPA member newspapers can provide resources to local schools at no cost with support from the New York Newspapers Foundation.
For information about scheduling a workshop or accessing educational resources, visit the NYNPA NIE website at nynpa.com or contact mmiller@nynpa.com
About the New York News Publishers Association:
The New York News Publishers Association is a nonprofit trade organization representing daily, weekly and Sunday newspapers across New York state. The association promotes excellence in journalism and supports the public’s right to know through advocacy, training and educational programs.
About the New York Newspapers Foundation:
The New York Newspapers Foundation is a non-profit organization which received its certificate of exemption under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, and was incorporated under the state’s not-for-profit corporation law. The purpose of the Foundation is to encourage the advancement of freedom of speech and the press, study the scientific research in all related fields, promote education and to assist those involved in all endeavors relating to the dissemination of information.
The Foundation’s News Media Literacy/NIE Program is committed to providing a quality program that will inform, engage and inspire lifelong learning. It supports the use of newspapers in schools, summer reading programs, adult education and literacy programs. The program is grounded in the belief that newspaper readership is an essential element in the formation of citizenship. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation.
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