MINNEAPOLIS — With so much false, misleading and divisive content swirling online, separating fact from fiction has become increasingly difficult for news consumers. For teenagers engaging with news for the first time, the challenge of knowing what information to trust, share and act on is even greater.
To address this urgent need, the Minnesota Star Tribune Local News Fund has announced the launch of its News Literacy Initiative, in partnership with the News Literacy Project and ThreeSixty Journalism at the University of St. Thomas. The partnership will bring high-quality news literacy resources, training and access to trusted journalism to Minnesota teachers and students in grades 9 through 12.
The initiative is being announced during National News Literacy Week (Feb. 2–6), an annual nationwide campaign that highlights the importance of helping educators and students navigate today’s complex information landscape.
“The crisis in Minnesota these last few months has only highlighted the challenges we face separating fact from fiction online,” said Steve Grove, publisher and CEO of The Minnesota Star Tribune. “This partnership reflects our responsibility as Minnesota’s largest newsroom to support students, educators, and communities with trusted journalism and essential news literacy skills.”
“The speed and volume of information coming from Minnesota reminds us all how important it is to have credible news and information to turn to — and how difficult it can be to sort through online feeds full of AI-slop, rumors and divisive falsehoods,” said Charles Salter, president and CEO of the News Literacy Project. “Through this partnership, more of Minnesota’s students will learn the skills they need to find information they can trust.”
“Civically healthy communities pursue accurate information, parse complex truths, and find shared reality together. Young Minnesotans value these skills and are eager to practice them. The News Literacy Initiative meets that energy with investment and commitment to equity,” said Kenzie O’Keefe, executive director of ThreeSixty Journalism.
The News Literacy Initiative will raise money through donations and grants to the Minnesota Star Tribune Local News fund to design and implement a statewide campaign for news literacy education. Donors who support the Minnesota Star Tribune Local News Fund’s News Literacy Initiative will empower the Strib to:
To kick off the News Literacy Initiative, the Minnesota Star Tribune Local News Fund will host “Strib Livestream: Behind the Videos” on Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 12:15-12:45 p.m. Central Standard Time. Moderated by Allison Kaplan, the livestream will feature video journalist Amanda Anderson, graphics reporter Jake Steinberg and digital designer Anna Boone as they discuss how The Minnesota Star Tribune used video forensics to help viewers understand what took place in the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Recent research underscores the urgency of this work. According to the News Literacy Project’s 2024 survey, “News Literacy in America: A Survey of Teen Information Attitudes, Habits and Skills,” eight in ten American teenagers report seeing conspiracy theories on social media at least once a week. Among those teens, 81% say they believe at least one of those theories, while only 15% say they actively seek out news to stay informed.
At the same time, the study found strong support for news literacy education: 94% of teens said news literacy should be required in schools. Students with exposure to news literacy instruction were more likely to engage in civic-minded activities, identify AI-generated content accurately, and report higher trust in news media
The Minnesota Star Tribune Local News Fund, the News Literacy Project, and ThreeSixty Journalism share a commitment to strengthening journalism, education and civic engagement by ensuring young people have the knowledge, skills and agency they need to make informed decisions.
Foundations and individuals interested in supporting the Minnesota Star Tribune News Literacy Initiative should email shane.guiter@startribune.com.
About The Minnesota Star Tribune:
The Minnesota Star Tribune is an innovative modern media organization building on an extraordinary 158-year legacy. With seven Pulitzer Prizes and hundreds of other awards, the Minnesota Star Tribune boasts the Midwest’s largest news organization and is an unrivaled force for journalistic excellence in Minnesota and beyond. As the heart and voice of the north, the Minnesota Star Tribune is on a journey to create the leading model for local news in America — driving innovation in media to make every Minnesotan’s life better. For more information, visit www.startribunecompany.com.
About News Literacy Project:
The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan education nonprofit that works with teachers, school districts, states and community partners like libraries and after-school clubs to ensure students in all 50 states receive news literacy instruction before they graduate from high school. Learn more: www.newslit.org.
About ThreeSixty Journalism:
ThreeSixty Journalism equips young Minnesotans to be sense makers, truth tellers, and bridge builders for an equitable society through multimedia journalism. We strive for a world where every young person has access to a journalism education and where young people shape representative news media and civically connected communities. Founded in 1971 to advance racial equity in journalism, ThreeSixty Journalism’s modern history began at the University of St. Thomas in 2001. Learn more: https://threesixty.stthomas.edu/
