What Is the News Literacy Project?

Updated

The News Literacy Project (NLP) is a nonprofit organization that provides news literacy resources to help educators teach media literacy and help students learn to spot misinformation, understand media bias, find reliable sources, and think critically. It is aimed primarily at educators and students, and it says it provides resources to educators in all 50 states. Its core offering is Checkology, a free virtual classroom and digital learning platform.

Who it serves

NLP's stated focus is young people and the educators who teach them. According to the organization, its resources were used during the 2025-26 school year by:

  • 22,800+ educators
  • 890,000+ students
  • 6,000+ school districts

The organization frames its mission around the idea that false information erodes trust, and that news literacy education helps build "the next generation of resilient, independent thinkers."

What Checkology is

Checkology is NLP's digital learning platform, described as a free virtual classroom. It is designed to help students:

  • Spot falsehoods
  • Understand media bias
  • Find reliable sources
  • Think critically

Its lessons, activities, infographics, and other resources cover topics including misinformation, conspiratorial thinking, and algorithms.

What educators and students say

NLP publishes testimonials from users. A student, Neveah Rice of Cornell High School in Pennsylvania, said that through Checkology she learned about the First Amendment, journalistic integrity, and deciphering sources, and that it empowered her. A teacher, Beth Holmgren of Negaunee High School in Michigan, called Checkology "one of THE best resources I've used in 25 years of teaching."

How to start

If you are an educator, the entry point is the "Start teaching now" option on the site, which leads to Checkology and the organization's other offerings. The site also notes a subscribe option, so if you want updates or specific communications, check the subscribe page for what it covers.

What to keep in mind

NLP is an education-focused nonprofit rather than a news outlet or a fact-checking service for individual claims. Its value is in curriculum and classroom tools, so it is most relevant if you teach media literacy or want ready-made materials for students. If you are looking for a specific fact-check on a single story, this is not that kind of resource.