How to Spot Fake News

How To Spot Fake News

The process of determining whether a news story is real or not can be challenging and not always straightforward. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the information that’s available and shared over social media, but examining a news story carefully is a useful skill. Here are a few tips to help you navigate between what’s real versus fake news.

1. Where is the news coming from? Consider how you found the news story. Did it show up on your social media newsfeed, or on a site known for “clickbait,” which refers to a title that has been exaggerated with the purpose of catching the reader or viewer’s attention? If you answered “yes”,  it may be fake news. On the other hand, if it’s from another news site, check the domain name of the site you’re reading. Often, unusual domains such as “.com.co” are fake news. You can also check who has written the news story and their credentials. It could be a red flag if the source of the news is not clear.
   
2. Timing is important. Notice the date of the story. It may not be up-to-date and may not be as relevant to current events. Sometimes, social media and news outlets might also take older news stories and take them out of context. Often social media sites may put outdated sponsored stories on your newsfeed.
3. Figure out the purpose of the story. Why was this story written? Was it used to promote one of a news outlet’s sponsors? (Tip: You can usually figure out who the sponsors are based off of what advertisements are on the page.) Was it the writer’s opinion? It could also be biased and misleading, trying to push a certain political view or be leaning towards a certain political party. If the news story seems as though it was written with some sort of bias or opinion attached to it, it may not be a trustworthy news source.
4. See who else is running the story. If you see something on your timeline, you can copy and paste the headline into a Google News search to see other outlets are running the story as well. The more news outlets report the same story, the more reliable it may be. You can also do further detective work by cross-referencing the different stories and see if they line up.
5. Check fact-checking websites. Sites like factscan.ca, International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), PolitiFact.com, Hoax Slayer, or Snopes.com all check whether or not a story is real or fake. Not only can you tell whether a story is true or not, but these sites often do the research for you so you’re able to find out the whole story. Check out the MediaSmarts video below to learn the four steps to distinguish whether a post or a story is true or not true.
   

    

6. Check in with yourself. Sometimes, news stories might be too unusual or out-of-this world then it may be satire. If you think it might be too “out there” it might be worth a double check. You might also want to double check that your own beliefs aren’t clouding your judgement. Although you might really like something to be true, it’s good to double check that it really is. 

For a quick reference, below is an infographic from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) on how to spot fake news.

(Image Source: IFLA)

Checking for Fake News About COVID-19

Misinformation happens when people share incorrect information. They may share it because they aren’t paying attention to whether the content is accurate or may believe something they’ve heard without looking into it. This is hard, especially with COVID-19 news, because the information can change quickly. There are steps you can take to make sure you’re sharing trusted information. Check Then Share is a great way to learn more ways about being more media literate.

Why does the information change so often?

Right now, we’re all seeing science happen in real time. Scientists are learning more about this virus every day. A new discovery today can change what every scientists knew yesterday.

When most experts agree that something is true, based on the evidence, the scientific consensus changes and public health authorities adapt their advice to reflect it. That doesn’t mean they were wrong before, just that the evidence-based information they were working from has changed.

So what do I do to make sure I’m getting the right info?

1. Check where the info originally came from.
2. Check that it came from a trusted expert source. 
   • Note: A trusted source has a good track record and a clear process for getting facts right, like a reputable news organization.
     An expert source, like a recognized scientist or health expert, has knowledge of that specific topic. Remember, being an expert in one area doesn’t make someone an expert in everything.
3. Check out trusted sources like the public health authority and government.
4. Only share info once you’ve checked the info is legit. Sharing accurate content helps crowd out the fake content.

What do I do if I see or am told wrong information?