Fact or fiction
The state of fake news in America and how to decipher it.
As social media evolves the amount of fake news stories skyrockets. Writers deliberately sending out bias, propaganda and misleading information in the hopes they will gain readers and traction.
The term “fake news” has become a household term as President Donald Trump has made repeated accusations online about news organizations around the world.
However, what is fake news really and what do these accusations do for the reputation of journalists in today’s society. The Committee to Protect Journalists believes that these insults must be taken seriously.
Research that the CPJ conducted showed that
“when public figures and political leaders lob insults at the media, they encourage self-censorship and expose journalists to unnecessary risk.”
Most in America do not understand what stories are fake or how to decipher fact from fiction. Spotting fake news can be tricky, not every site will aim for outrageous click-bate titles or images.
So we must evolve and learn how to spot which information is correct and real.
Below. I have listed out a few of my top tips for recognizing fake news online and how to avoid it.
Don’t just look at what’s on social media
Although this should be a basic fact, 71% of adults in the U.S. have stated that they use Facebook to get their news during the day.
One of the easiest ways to find if a website is credible is by looking at the source. Is it someone that you’ve heard of before — FOX, CNN, NBC, Washington Post, New York Times. You should find official popular national and local news websites and compare their information. These sites are more likely to have credible information but they still may showcase their political biases so read from several different sites to get the full picture.
Social media will continue to grow and the stories on it will evolve. We must take an active role in news consumption and ensure that we are seeking out the truth. Look at the sources and read from multiple before you decide to re-share the information on your social media accounts to ensure that only the most correct information is being released to the public.
It is our responsibility to stop the spread of fake news and it’s not quite as hard as it seems, we just have to take the proper steps to do it.
Here are some more resources on how to check for facts, bias, and fake news.
For the whole story and more information on the list provided above.
A news item from NPR, with tips on how to self-check the news to ensure you’re getting a real news story.
“Confirmation bias is the tendency for people to selectively search for and consider information that confirms already held beliefs. People also tend to reject evidence that contradicts their opinions.” This page has some examples of confirmation bias.
Clear and quick tips for how to detect fake news, from the Fact Checker section of the Washington Post: “When you read them [articles], pay attention to the following signs that the article may be fake. There are fake news stories generated by both left-leaning and right-leaning websites, and the same rules apply to both.”
