HOW TO SPOT FAKE NEWS
We are continually bombarded with messages in the public space that call themselves “news “ or “facts”. Here are some resources to guide you through evaluating the quality of these messages for yourself.
From SmartNews: "Many sources compete for attention online, including partisan blogs and bogus sites posing as legitimate news organizations. It can be tough to know what to trust. Follow these steps to cut through the noise and learn how to evaluate sources for signs of credibility – as well as for red flags that signal a source should be avoided."
News Literacy & SmartNews Infographic
From International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions:
Consider the source - Click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission and its contact info.
Read beyond - Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks. What’s the whole story?
Check the author - Do a quick search on the author. Are they credible? Are they real?
Supporting sources? Click on those links. Determine if the info given actually supports the story.
Check the date - Reposting old stories doesn’t mean they’re relevant to current events.
Is it a joke? If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Research the site and author to be sure.
Check your biases - Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgement.
Ask the experts - Ask a librarian, or consult a fact-checking site.
