Traditionally, news is supposed to accurately fill us in on the who, what, where, when and why of the world’s events. Fake news fabricates at least one of these and builds a story around the misinformation.
What really turns misinformation into fake news though is when a large group of people start believing and/or sharing it. And as we know, share functions on social media make spreading (and validating) stories on a mass scale easier than ever.
What does this mean for us as a union?
We have to be extra critical and vigilant when we’re assessing content that looks like news today because the fake stuff can have real-world consequences - recall the role fake news sharing was believed to play in the outcome of the 2016 US Presidential election.
So before you pull the trigger and share that controversial video clip, or that article you sped-read, or that fear-mongering headline, take a moment and go through this checklist to see if you’re playing with fire and dealing with fake news.
Step-by-Step: How to Spot Fake Online News
1. Consider the publisher. Ask:
Do I recognize the top-level domain name? “.com” is an example of a top-level domain name. Common and recognizable, it’s the kind of domain a reputable publisher might use.
As soon as you see something odd like “.com.co” though, especially if it follows an otherwise recognizable name like ctvnews, be wary, this “news” could be fake.
Do publications with other political leanings confirm the same information? Maybe you read something in an article that seems questionable or fits too neatly with the publication’s political biases. Check other news sources that fall on the opposite end of the ideological spectrum. If they repeat the same finding, there’s a good chance it could be true.
Who is the author? Find out more about them. Are they outspoken advocates for any pet causes or organizations? Have they written anything else that could hint at their biases or credibility? See if their byline has a link to an author profile.
2. Check the professionalism. Ask:
Are there lots of spelling or grammatical errors? Credible publishers who put resources into developing well-researched and balanced stories tend to put resources into good copyediting. If a news story looks like a text message your friend could have sent, it’s highly suspect.
Excessive punctuation, like multiple exclamation or question marks in a row, should also leave you asking, “can I trust this site!!!??”
3. Check the sources and citations. Ask:
Are there any? If the article you’re reading is lacking in direct quotes, secondary quotes or references to other materials, keep your guard up. Good news stories are built on information gathered from the ground and from other types of research.
Can I find the purported information elsewhere? If facts aren’t attributed to a source, see if other news outlets are reporting on the same thing. Library databases, such as Harvard Library's list of public resources, are often good, free public portals to credible newspapers. Find more at Current and Historical Newspapers guide. If there are sources, track down this original supporting material and make sure the author didn’t spin or twist facts to fit the angle of their story.
Last but not least, here are some trusted fact-checking sites you can visit to test the truthfulness of the news you’re reading:
• FactCheck.org
• International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN)
• PolitiFact.com
• Snopes.com
Sources:
https://www.summer.harvard.edu/inside-summer/4-tips-spotting-fake-news-story https://onesearch.library.utoronto.ca/faq/how-do-i-spot-fake-news