14 Oct Sorting Facts from Noise: Finding Trustworthy Financial News

In today’s world, it’s harder than ever to know which financial “news” you can truly rely on. Between social media, 24-hour news channels, podcasters, and opinion-driven talk shows, it can feel like everyone has a microphone—and very few have real data.

As investors, this matters. The information we consume shapes our decisions, emotions, and confidence about the economy and markets. Unfortunately, much of what passes as financial news today is designed to get attention, not to inform. If you’ve known Wright Wealth for a while, you certainly know to take what Jim Cramer says with grains of salt – but did you know  you should apply that same filter to KTVU’s nightly programming, or that nice, credentialed CFP® you follow on Instagram?

When is it news vs. when is it opinion? A good rule of thumb: if what you’re watching or reading makes you feel anxious, angry, or euphoric—it’s probably opinion, not journalism.

• News provides facts and context. It is very boring.
• Opinion TV and online commentary focus on predictions, controversy, and personality. It is super entertaining!

Many major financial and news networks have shifted heavily toward “infotainment,” where headlines are crafted to keep you watching instead of helping you make sound decisions. A few years ago, several large media groups came under fire for distributing identical scripts to their local news stations—messages written by the parent company and read on air by dozens of anchors across the country. It was a reminder that even local broadcasts aren’t always independent.

While not every network engages in this, the story showed how easily information can appear diverse when it actually comes from a single source. This is why it’s so important to cross-check information and rely on multiple outlets rather than trusting one channel or personality.

When investors act on sensational headlines—whether it’s panic-selling during a market drop or chasing the “next big opportunity”—they often make decisions that run counter to their long-term plan. Even well-meaning commentators can be wrong more often than they’re right. I once crafted an entire podcast episode dedicated to showing you how these predictions fared. You don’t have to listen to it to know they were all completely wrong.

Remember: markets move based on millions of data points, not one person’s take on what’s happening in Washington or Wall Street.

So, where can we find reliable information?

If you enjoy following the news, focus on sources with a reputation for data and balance:

• The Wall Street Journal – fact-driven market and business coverage.
• Reuters and Associated Press – straightforward reporting, minimal spin.
• Morningstar – for investment research and long-term perspective.
• The Economist – good for understanding global context and trends.

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’d also like you to consider looking at Ground News, which is a news aggregator that pulls articles from all kinds of sources—left, right, and center—and lays out how each side is covering the same story. It’s not a news outlet itself, but more like a tool to help you see the differences in reporting and spot potential biases or blind spots. You can check out their bias ratings for different outlets and even see which sources are fact-checked.

I’ve found it useful for getting a broader perspective, especially when a story feels one-sided or overly hyped. It doesn’t replace reading reputable sources directly, but it’s a good way to compare how different media frame the news. If you’re curious about how your news diet might be shaping your view, it’s worth checking out.

Podcasts and newsletters from credible economists or financial professionals can also be valuable—just make sure they disclose sources and aren’t selling products under the guise of “education.”

How to stay grounded?When the headlines feel overwhelming, remember your financial plan was built for exactly that—for changing markets, elections, wars, and everything in between. Your strategy is designed to outlast the news cycle.

So read and watch what helps you stay informed, but take it all with a healthy dose of skepticism. The best investment decisions come from discipline, not daily drama.

Information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products, or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment.

The commentary in this post (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of Angela Wright, an Investment Adviser Representative of Gemmer Asset Management LLC (“GAM”) and should not be regarded as the views of GAM, or a description of advisory services provided by GAM or performance returns of any GAM client.  References to securities or market-related performance data are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others.  

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