facts

Facts are true, proven and known components of a news story. Facts can be backed and supported by outside resources like empirical data, research, and observations. Facts are objective, and they can be proven true or false based on reliable evidence. A journalist may gain facts through interviews or research to add to their story.

People can verify the statement, “The capital of Pennsylvania is Harrisburg,” using maps and exterior documents. Thus, it would be considered a fact.

Meanwhile, statements like, “State College is the best city in Pennsylvania,” is an opinion. It is not a fact because there people have different thoughts about this claim, and it cannot be verified.