Improve Your News Literacy at Free Event on Feb. 22

Veteran journalists to teach skills for discerning truth from fiction online

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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In an era of misinformation and manipulated media, the News Literacy Project is hosting a free event on February 22 in Ridgway, Colorado to teach attendees how to identify credible news sources and fact-check online content. The presentation by Emmy award-winning journalists Judy Muller and George Lewis will cover tools for navigating the overwhelming amount of information on the internet and developing a healthy skepticism towards viral videos, doctored photos, and misleading headlines.

Why it matters

With the proliferation of blogs, influencers, and user-generated content online, it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish real news from misinformation or propaganda. This event aims to empower community members with the skills to be more discerning news consumers, verify information they encounter, and form opinions based on credible, fact-based reporting.

The details

The free "Recognizing Credible News in a Time of Truth Decay" event will take place from 4-6 pm on Sunday, February 22 at the Decker Room at Space to Create in Ridgway. It will be led by veteran journalists Judy Muller and George Lewis, who will share techniques for spotting manipulated photos and videos, differentiating news from opinion, and tracing the origins of online content. Free childcare will be available for attendees who RSVP in advance.

  • The event will take place on Sunday, February 22, 2026 from 4-6 pm.
  • Attendees must RSVP for free childcare by emailing roccnriver@gmail.com.

The players

Judy Muller

An Emmy award-winning veteran journalist who will be presenting at the news literacy event.

George Lewis

An Emmy award-winning veteran journalist who will be presenting at the news literacy event.

News Literacy Project

An independent, nonpartisan organization that aims to give people the tools to discern truth from fiction in news and information.

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What they’re saying

“It's important to think about where our information comes from, and have a healthy skepticism about whether it's trying to manipulate us. News literacy is an essential skill, ensuring we can distinguish between news sources and decide what to trust.”

— Erin McIntyre, Co-publisher, Ouray County Plaindealer (ouraynews.com)

What’s next

Attendees can sign up for newsletters and access more resources from the News Literacy Project online at newslit.org if they are unable to attend the in-person event.

The takeaway

In an era of misinformation and manipulated media, developing news literacy skills is crucial for being an informed and discerning consumer of information. This free event will equip attendees with practical tools to verify online content, identify credible sources, and avoid falling victim to propaganda or fake news.