Student Media Resources

Fact-Checking Resources

Misinformation and disinformation have become commonplace in our increasingly connected world, and verifying integrity is more difficult than ever. Using resources like these, we can still be confident in our information and ensure that the real story is being told.

Snopes

The largest and oldest online fact-checking site, Snopes publishes fact-checks on topics from politics to entertainment, and will often have coverage of clickbait images and posts that have gone viral.

Politifact

Publishes thorough fact-checks of claims made by politicians and media pundits, as well as viral stories and posts. PolitiFact covers claims made at the national and state level, along with topic-specific issues, and statements made by influential individuals.

Ground News

Aggregates coverage from many different sources and organizes them by political leaning. Seeing what and how other outlets have reported on a questionable story is a great way to check its validity.

Google Reverse Image Search Tool

False or misleading information often uses images that may look relevant but are depicting unrelated events or past occurrences in an effort to add credibility to false claims. Reverse image search allows you to find out if an image appears elsewhere on the web.

FactCheck.org

Monitors “the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases.”

SciCheck

FactCheck.org’s SciCheck feature focuses exclusively on false and misleading scientific claims that are made by partisans to influence public policy.

Washington Post Fact Checker

This Fact Checker offers well-researched analysis of questionable claims from across the federal government. Glenn Kessler, the publication’s editor, is a member of the advisory board of the International Fact-Checking Network.

Muck Rack

Searchable database of journalists with links to articles from all publications they’ve worked for. Useful to see what background a writer is coming from and how credible they may be.

Media Law

The media law seminar for print and broadcast students, taught by media attorney Jim Wagstaffe, covers the legal basics: the First Amendment, libel and slander, copyright, and privacy issues. All signers must attend the Media Law seminar or complete the online quiz before your organization may produce. Although signers are the only ones required to attend the seminar, organization members are encouraged to attend and leaders are responsible for making sure organization members understand the laws surrounding media production.

Student Press Law Center

This comprehensive source provides up-to-date information on media-related law, as well as handy FAQ sheets on libel law, invasion of privacy, a student media guide to copyright and so much more. Student Media organizations may also contact the SPLC’s help desk with questions. Poke around the site for a treasure trove of useful information, and/or sign up for regular email updates from SPLC.

First Amendment Coalition

This non-profit public interest organization supports free speech, more open and accountable government and public participation in civic affairs. Want to know what a sample FOIA request letter would sound like, or more about California Sunshine Laws? This is the place. In addition to online resources, the Coalition offers free one-on-one legal consultations for journalists.

Copyright Clearance Center

This site is designed for academic institutions; however, it also answers a range of other questions from the basics of copyright law to how to stay safe when you’re incorporating videos you didn’t make in your content.

NOLO: Law For All

This exhaustive resource on copyright law is organized by topic. For the basics, try “Fair Use: The Four Factors”; if you want to know whether your organization can make a fan-film of Star Trek, check out “Determining the Length of Copyright Protection.”

Ethics Seminars

Offered in Winter Quarter, this workshop invites you to engage some of the current pressing questions that challenge contemporary media organizations. Led by media attorney Jim Wagstaffe, this workshop’s interactive design includes exercises and “ripped-from-the-headlines” scenarios to explore these issues.

Diversity and Media Workshops

Media gives its creators a megaphone, access to resources, and the power to change our world. In these activity-based workshops, we’ll reflect on why diversity in media matters, and what we can do about it. Developed by students, staff, and alumni each year, these workshops focus are current events and explore the many different perspectives in the media landscape.

SOMeCA Registration and Trainings

Equipment Resources

The link below includes all information needed regarding equipment certifications, equipment resources and how to rent media equipment.

Finances and Funding

CEP

The Committee on Ethnic Programming: Undergraduate students (individuals or organizations) may apply for funding of projects that support ethnic diversity on campus by enhancing the retention and advancement of historically excluded populations who are currently underrepresented as defined by the UC Office of the President (African Americans, Chicanos, Latinos, American Indians, Filipinos and Asian/Pacific Islanders). This form is fillable online via Adobe Reader, which is available on all Student Media Press Center computers.

Core Council

Student organizations registered with SOAR (Student Organization Advising and Resources), OPERS (Office of Physical Education, Recreation and Sports) or Student Media may apply for funding to support their student initiated events, activities, and projects. Core Council funds on-campus activities with consideration to the number of UCSC students who will benefit directly from the activity, among other criteria.

Max Cost Sheet for CEP and Core Council

CAO / Provost

Student Organizations representing undergraduate students may apply for funding for events and activities which support the diversity, retention, academic and/or programmatic goals consistent with the colleges. Please contact Andrew Miller if you have any questions ammiller@ucsc.edu.

Campus Sustainability Council

The role of the Campus Sustainability Council (CSC) is to provide funding to registered UCSC Student Organizations for programs and events that create, implement, and monitor environmentally sound practices on campus as established through the protocol outlined in the Blueprint for a Sustainable Campus. These organizations additionally facilitate greater collaboration between students, the administration, staff, faculty, and the community.

Division of Student Affairs and Success

Registered Student Organizations (RSO’s), other student groups recognized by the University (SUA, GSA, SFAC, SVC, College Governments, etc.), other student groups or student-initiated events sponsored by Campus Departments. RSO’s, other student groups recognized by the University, other student groups or student-initiated events sponsored by Campus Departments: funding is administered through a transfer of funds to a university FOAPAL. The Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS) requires that funding requests be made no less than 3 weeks in advance of when funding is needed. While the three-week lead time is internal to DSAS, please be mindful of any other timelines that are internal to your sponsoring organization (for instance SOAR timelines) and the time that you will need to process things like travel, set up contracts for services, etc.