Be Well-informed: 10 Tips On How to Spot Fake News
Fake news are all over the internet nowadays. As consumers of
information we are facing a big challenge of discerning which is true and which
is fake among all the data that is available to us. Being uninformed and
misinformed are equally as bad. While we strive to become well informed about
what is happening around us, it is also important that we observe accountability
in what we read, see and share to prevent lies from spreading further.
Where do fake news come from?
1. Publishers who just want to make money
There are websites that were
established only for the sake of making money to the extent of using fake,
sensationalized and exaggerated information. They only care about traffic, impressions,
pageviews and cost per click (CPC). Every time you visit, click or share
content from these websites, you become a victim, you help them
earn money and worst, you encourage them to continue spreading lies.
2. Propaganda
There are individuals as well as organizations who use fakes news to promote their own ideology and interests. Unlike profit-oriented websites, these propaganda aim to
influence people’s behavior, beliefs and attitudes. There are instances when they encourage people to take part in the cause they are fighting for
such as hatred, religious persecution and etc.
3. Satirical Websites
If not careful, you might think these satirical sources carry
factual information. They publish fake and made up stories with the intention to mock or bring humor to a particular event,
personality and institution.
To become a more responsible consumer of information, here
are 10 tips according to Facebook that
will help you determine fake news.
1. Be skeptical of headlines
False news stories often have
catchy headlines in all caps with exclamation points. If shocking claims in the
headline sound unbelievable, they probably are. Authentic news sites have a professional way of writing the headline. It should be true, straightforward, neutral, concise and grammatically correct.
2. Look closely at the URL
A phony or look-alike URL may be a
warning sign of false news. Many false news sites mimic authentic news sources
by making small changes to the URL. You can go to the site and compare the URL
to established sources. You can research and then make a list of the reliable news sites that you can visit every time you want to know about something. Here are some of the credible websites that you can visit.
3. Consider the photos
False news stories often contain
manipulated images or videos. Sometimes the photo may be authentic, but taken
out of context. You can search for the photo or image to verify where it came
from. In the photo used above, it is obvious that the photo was edited to make it look like an ISIS terrorist did the attack.
4. Investigate the source
Ensure that the story is written by a source that you trust with a reputation for accuracy. If the story comes from an unfamiliar organization, check their “About” section to learn more.
5. Watch for unusual formatting
Many false news sites have misspellings or awkward layouts. Read carefully if you see these signs.
6. Inspect the dates
False news stories may contain timelines
that make no sense, or event dates that have been altered.
7. Check the evidence
Check the author's sources to confirm
that they are accurate. Lack of evidence or reliance on unnamed experts may
indicate a false news story.
8. Look at other reports
If no other news source is reporting
the same story, it may indicate that the story is false. If the story is
reported by multiple sources you trust, it's more likely to be true.
9. Is the story a joke?
Sometimes false news stories can be hard
to distinguish from humor or satire. Check whether the source is known for
parody, and whether the story's details and tone suggest it may be just for
fun.
10. Some stories are intentionally false
Think critically about
the stories you read, and only share news that you know to be credible.
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