How to Spot Fake News
What is Fake News?
Fake news is not news you disagree with.
"Fake News" is "fabricated information that mimics news media content in form but not in organizational process or intent. Fake news outlets, in turn, lack the news media's editorial norms and processes for ensuring the accuracy and credibility of information. Fake news overlaps with other information disorders, such as misinformation (false or misleading information) and disinformation (false information that is purposely spread to deceive people)." - David M. J. Lazer, et al., "The Science of Fake News," Science 09 Mar 2018: Vol. 359, Issue 6380, pp. 1094-1096. via What is Fake News?
Fake News is:
- Authentic material used in the wrong context
- Imposter news sites designed to look like brands we already know
- Fake news sites
- Fake information
- Manipulated content
- Parody content
- Keepin' It Real: Tips & Strategies for Evaluating Fake News
The Spread of Fake News
Creators of fake news and fake news sites check verified news sources. They use facts from these verified news outlets and layer it with misinformation to confuse the reader. When confronted by both the fake news and verified news, people tend to discount both the misinformation and the facts. That's the power of fake news. - Keepin' It Real: Tips and Strategies for Evaluating Fake News
Fighting Fake News
Here are some things you can do to spot fake news:
- Consider the Source: Click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission, and its contact information.
- Check the Author: Do a quick search on the author. Are they credible? Are they real?
- Check the Date: Reposting old news stories doesn't mean they're relevant to current events.
- Check your Biases: Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgement.
- Read Beyond: Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks. What's the whole story?
- Supporting Sources: Click on those links. Determine if the information given actually supports the story.
- Is it a Joke?: If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Research the site and author to be sure.
- Ask the Experts: Ask a librarian or consult a fact-checking site.
Tools for Verifying News and Information
- FactCheck.orgA project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, FactCheck.org is nonpartisan and nonprofit political fact-checking site.
- Fact CheckerFact Checker: The Truth Behind the Rhetoric is a newspaper column written by Glenn Kessler of The Washington Post.
- Politifact.comPolitifact.com is a project of Tampa Bay Times (formerly The St. Petersburg Times), one of the largest daily newspapers in Florida.
- Snopes.comThis site has a reputation for debunking hoaxes and urban legends. It was founded in 1995 by a couple in Los Angeles who had an interest in urban legends.
- OpenSecrets.orgThis nonpartisan, nonprofit site tracks money in U.S. politics, and the impact of money on elections and public policy.
- Verification Handbook: Verification ToolsUse these online verification tools to find details and profiles of users who are active on social media.
- Fake News Sites on FacebookProvides a list of fake news sites to watch out for on Facebook.
- Ten Questions for Fake News DetectionUse these questions to assess the likelihood that a piece of information is fake news.
- Wayback MachineA digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Like a paper library, we provide free access to researchers, historians, scholars, the print disabled, and the general public. Our mission is to provide Universal Access to All Knowledge.
- Google Reverse Image SearchUpload or use a URL image to check the content history or to see similar images on the web.
- TinEye Reverse Image SearchThis tool allows you to find where images appear online.
Attributions
Thank you to William H. Hannon Library at Loyola Marymount University and Olin and Uris Libraries at Cornell University Library for allowing the use of your LibGuides in the creation of this guide.
“Keepin' It Real: Tips & Strategies for Evaluating Fake News: Fake News.” William H. Hannon Library LibGuides, libguides.lmu.edu/c.php?g=595781&p=4121899.
“Fake News, Propaganda, and Misinformation: Learning to Critically Evaluate Media Sources: What Is Fake News?” Cornell University Research Guides, guides.library.cornell.edu/evaluate_news.
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