IMVAIN is a mneumonic used to help evaluate sources that show up in news stories:
Independent sources are preferable to self-interested sources.
Multiple sources are preferable to a report based on a single source.
Sources who Verify or provide verifiable information are preferable to those who merely assert.
Authoritative and/or Informed sources are preferable to sources who are uninformed or lack authoritative background.
Named sources are better than anonymous ones.
Relevance & Appropriateness
Authority & Credibility
Accuracy & Verifiability
Bias & Objectivity
Currency & Timeliness
Scope & Depth
Audience & Purpose