We all know that not everything you see or read on the internet is true. However, if this is true, how come many people still share fake stories fake news sites or fake stories online, like the claim that Hillary Clinton is an android in a pantsuit or Donald Trump is a secret lizard person?
This does not need to happen. Fake news can be spotted easily - if one knows how. Two communication experts, Dr. Melissa Zimdars, an associate professor at Merrimack College in Massachusetts whose dynamic list of unreliable news sites has gone viral, and Alexios Mantzarlis, the head us.
They say first we have to determine the different types of false and misleading news. Second is we have to hone our fact checking skills. They further share 10 tips with us.
See CNN Tech report Here's how to of the International Fact-Checking Network at the Poynter Institute, share their expertise with outsmart fake news in your Facebook feed
First, we check if the site has a strange URL. Sites with strange suffixes like ".su" or ".co," or that are hosted by third party platforms should raise a red flag.
Second, we check if the headline match the information in the article. Many are duped by fake headlines and they don't even bother to read the article.
Third, we determine if it is a new story, or one that has been re-purposed. An old story in 2015 can be re-purposed and made to appear that it was just recent, just to support an agenda.
Fourth, are the supporting photos or videos verifiable? Same with photos and videos, they can be used to support a different agenda, esp if the original sources are not verifiable.
Fifth, are primary sources cited by the article? Check if the article had no statement or claim at all from any company.
Sixth, if the story features quotes, are they traceable? Many quotes of famous people are appearing online. Again, check for the sources claimed because memes on famous people tend to be believed right away.
Seventh, is it the only site reporting the story? 3 sites reporting the Pope Francis endorsing 3 different presidents only went into a loop; meaning, they were citing each other as a source, and they were all fake.
Eighth, is your own bias getting in the way? "Some of that is built into Facebook's algorithm -- the more you like or interact with a certain interest, the more Facebook will show you related to that interest."
Ninth, has it been proven false by a reputable fact-checking organization? There are fact-checking organizations like an International Fact-Checking Network (which Mantzarlis leads), Sites like FactCheck.org, Snopes and Politifact.
Tenth, is the host on a list of unreliable news sites? Zimdars' now-famous list covers both kinds; meaning, misleading news and fake news, as well as satire and sites that capitalize on clickbait-type headlines. Snopes also maintains a list. See also BBC report Fake news: Facebook rolls out new tools to tackle false stories. See related Traveler's Today report Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg Hires New Executive Roles To Combat Fake News.
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