Elections and Pandemics and Celebrity Drama, oh my! It is so hard to try and keep up with everything. With so much happening in the world today, it is important to stay educated and aware. Whether you are keeping up with the world via phone, television or computer, not all sources are credible. With that being said, it is very important for you to separate the real from the fake. Here are a few tips on how to determine what is fake news.
1. Think Critically: Generally, fake news creates a shock value that enlists a strong instinctive reaction. Approach all news stories rationally and critically.
2. Verify your Source: Research the author and check the web address carefully. Try to stay away from articles with unknown authors. Also, pay attention to the extensions in the address. “.com.co” are usually replicas of the actual news site.
3. Other News Stories: Find out if anyone else has picked up on the story and what did they say about it. If the topic is big, more than one news site will pick it up.
4. Examine All of the Evidence: Credible sources have a myriad of facts including quotes from experts, statistics or consistent and corroborated eye-witness accounts. You can always fact-check the facts.
5. Common Sense: Use your common sense when reading. Take the pictures embedded in the articles with a grain of salt. They can be altered in so many different ways.
6. If All Else Fails: If you can’t decipher if the article is real or fake, just move on.
It is very important to stay informed at all times. It is even more important to get your information from credible sources. Know that some things are just click-bait to generate views on their websites for the advertisers. Other websites generate intentional satirical information that isn’t classified as fake news. Do your own research and form your own opinions. Happy Searching!
Eyeconic Writer: Melea Polk
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