The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times and The Washington Post are all riding the media’s latest vehicle – the Internet. Today, if a news source is in print, you can probably read it on a glossy computer screen, too.

While Internet news can come from major news companies, less reputable sources also exist.

Because of this difference, media consumers should be wary.

While some Web sites feature news, some like Yahoo.com don’t provide users with a fair representation of world events. Their top stories, when compared with the top stories on other news sites, seem trivial.

Assistant communication professor Bill Cassidy said that Web sites such as Yahoo.com don’t consider news coverage their main business. Still, readers should understand the information provided comes from a search engine.

“The information itself shouldn’t be suspect, but it’s probably being represented with a narrow view,” Cassidy said.

On Google news, the top stories contain more substance, but a closer look reveals that these stories are gleaned from other sources. The home page for Google news is filled with links to other news sites. On Oct. 26, a link to TMZ.com was Google’s top news source.

How does an entertainment site based on celebrity gossip become a reputable news source? No one should be comfortable with that phenomenon.

It may be tempting to visit the sites of TV news channels. After all, CNN is a TV news source. But sites for smaller or local news programs don’t provide the same information that a newspaper site will. Broadcast news typically can’t provide in-depth coverage of news, because news stories are presented quickly.

“I think the Internet has limited the depth of some articles,” said Andrew Hildner, graduate theater scene design student.

Smaller news sources and Web sites reflect the style of smaller news stations, and can leave readers with abbreviated information.

“In some ways, [Internet news] is a huge convenience, but with the convenience comes more responsibility for us,” Cassidy said.

Media consumers have common sense about Internet news; but if a Web site hides behind a news facade and doesn’t provide the best coverage, it shouldn’t be a main news source. There are newspaper Web sites dedicated to quality in print and digital format.

Media consumers should treat the Internet with caution. Just like opening spam e-mail or clicking on suspicious ads, reading Web sites claiming to be news sites may leave readers misinformed. To stay informed, stick with what you know is reputable.