Victoria Journalist Pens Book Teaching Youth to Critically Evaluate News

Victoria journalist Gregor Craigie has launched a new book aimed at helping young readers navigate the complex world of misinformation in the digital age. “Sticking to the Facts: 10 Ways to Fight Misinformation,” published by Orca Book Publishers, draws on Craigie’s more than two decades of experience as a journalist with major networks including the BBC, CBS, and CBC.

As host of CBC Radio One’s “On the Island” and father to three teenagers, Craigie found himself increasingly concerned about how young people evaluate online information. His observations of his own children’s media consumption habits sparked the idea for the book.

“It felt like a perfect mix between my professional life as a journalist and my personal life as a dad,” Craigie explained. “There’s so much that’s out there that’s either outright lies or even mistakes. Or unsubstantiated things or opinion masking themselves as facts.”

The Victoria-based journalist notes that while traditional media outlets operate under established journalistic standards, platforms like YouTube have few barriers to publishing content, regardless of accuracy. Despite the flood of information young people consume daily, Craigie observed that many lack formal education about how to identify misinformation.

“There is so much information that kids are getting, but they’re not getting taught a lot about misinformation,” he said.

The book breaks down media literacy into ten actionable lessons, making complex concepts accessible to middle-grade readers. Illustrated by Bithi Sutradhar, the publication uses colorful visuals and compelling historical examples to demonstrate that misinformation isn’t solely a modern problem.

One historical example featured in the book dates back to 1835, when the New York Sun published entirely fabricated stories about life on the moon simply to boost circulation. In a more recent case, Craigie highlights a false article claiming U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez advocated for a nationwide motorcycle ban—a story shared thousands of times despite being completely untrue.

If readers take away just one lesson from his book, Craigie hopes it’s the importance of reading beyond headlines. “Too many of us in life are so busy that we tend to only look at a headline, or we just hear a sentence or two,” he explained. This cursory approach to news consumption often leads to misunderstandings, incomplete information, and unproductive social media arguments.

The book isn’t just for young readers. Educators have told Craigie that students often educate their parents about media literacy. “I think it’s a great thing for parents and kids to read together,” he said, suggesting the book could help bridge generational gaps in understanding digital media.

This publication represents Craigie’s first venture into middle-grade non-fiction, though he’s no stranger to the publishing world. His previous works have earned recognition as finalists for prestigious literary awards including the Writers’ Trust Balsillie Prize for Public Policy and the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize.

“Sticking to the Facts” comes at a critical time when misinformation spreads rapidly across social media platforms and digital channels. Media literacy experts have increasingly warned about the consequences of unchecked misinformation, particularly for younger audiences who may lack the critical thinking skills and contextual knowledge to evaluate news sources effectively.

The book, released on February 17, 2026, is available through Orca Book Publishers’ website and major book retailers, offering an essential resource for educators, parents, and young readers navigating today’s complex information landscape.