Q. How do I spot fake news?
Answer
If you're trying to figure out if a news story is fake or not, try the following:
- 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 news 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 judgment.
- Ask the Experts: Ask a librarian, or consult a fact-checking website.