How does a person attain Al-Furqan (the Criterion) to distinguish between truth and falsehood in light of the multiplicity of parties, groups, and news?

The Muslim attains Furqan (discernment) by seeking Allah's help and relying on Him, by sincerely intending to seek the truth, by shunning caprice, by striving to acquire beneficial knowledge, by sitting with its people, by steadfastness in obeying Allah, and by acting upon what one has learned. At that point, he becomes one of the pious, deserving of Allah's promise in His saying: {O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion (Furqan) and remove from you your evil deeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.} The intended meaning of Furqan is an exit in this world and the Hereafter, salvation and victory, and the distinction between truth and falsehood. So, whoever fears Allah will be guided to discern truth from falsehood, and that will be the cause of his victory, salvation, and happiness, and the expiation of his evil deeds and the forgiveness of his sins, and the attainment of abundant reward.

Al-Sa'di said: Allah has arranged four things upon taqwa (piety): Furqan (knowledge and guidance), the expiation of evil deeds, the forgiveness of sins, and great reward.