It is really difficult to stay informed, especially in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether on social media or other news reports, it can be difficult to know what is true and what is false. Misinformation, misinformation, and fake news all play a role in our ability (or difficulty) to separate fact from fiction. Before rereading a news article or social media report, review these different terms so you can stay informed in the best possible way.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Definitions
Step 1. Identify misinformation as any false information that is spread as if it were true
Many people share false information while fully believing that they are spreading the truth to their friends and family. This phenomenon is known as "misinformation" and it is much more common than you might think. If a person doesn't actively check their sources before sharing new information, they could be sharing misinformation without even realizing it. While this is not ideal, the person who posted it probably had no ill intentions.
If someone shares an unverified news article believing it to be true, they could be spreading misinformation without
Step 2. Be aware that disinformation is false information spread with malicious intent
While misinformation can be spread with a positive and helpful intent, misinformation is designed to mislead and manipulate the reader or viewer. When an organization or person deliberately creates and shares false data, they are involved in spreading "misinformation."
- Try to look at it this way: misinformation is generally wrong, while misinformation is deliberate.
- If someone deliberately creates and shares a story, this person participates in the dissemination of misinformation.
Step 3. Accept that fake news is false information spread by news sources
Fake news is a general term that includes both misinformation and misinformation. However, fake news involves spreading misinformation and misinformation on a large scale or on a platform and presenting it as real news. Fake news is especially dangerous as it has the potential to reach many people.
Fake news is generally spread through special "fake news", which are separate organizations and websites that are designed to spread false and fabricated information
Step 4. Define satire as excessive misinformation that is designed to prove a point
The satire and parody articles offer a bit of a gray area in the debate on misinformation and misinformation. Unlike actual misinformation, satire articles are designed to be outrageously false in order to prove a particular point. However, if someone mistakenly shares a satire or parody article and presents it as fact, then this person would be spreading misinformation.
- By way of illustration, an example of a satire article might look something like: "COVID-19 originated on Mars." If someone takes this article seriously and shares it with others, they are actively spreading misinformation.
- A satire article could raise awareness of how strange certain COVID-19 stereotypes are.
Method 2 of 2: Verification of Assertions
Step 1. Clarify misinformation and misinformation using fact-checking sites
Actually the current situation is very difficult when it comes to false facts and the rest of the Internet. Fortunately, there are many great resources out there that can help you stay up-to-date on what's going on. Look up the new claims on a fact-checking site to find out if the information is accurate.
You can find lists of different fact-checking websites at these links (both in English): https://research.ewu.edu/journalism/factcheck and
Step 2. Check the website to see if it is legitimate
Find the "About" page on the website; most big-name newscasts will have it. Read the site description to see if they are obviously partisan, which can be a red flag. Also, look for photos and bios of your employees, as some fake news outlets will use photos that come from image banks to make your site appear more legitimate. Something else that is good to check is the URL of the website itself, as many fake news outlets will attempt to pass off your site as an official URL.
- For example, a fake news site may have the URL "cbsnews.com.co", which is obviously fake and not really the CBS news.
- If a site does not have an "About" or "Contact" page, you can assume it is a fake news site.
- You can save an image and do a reverse search to see if it is an image bank photo. Some outlets will also use "fake" photos to generate publicity for their fake stories.
- Partisanship can be incorporated in many ways. Usually it is seen through snippets of text that are additional and unnecessary additions, that feed on stereotypes and political agendas.
Step 3. Check the publication date of the article
Some bogus newscasts will reference old headlines and advertising formulas, and reuse them for today's environment. Compare the date of the article with the dates of the sources referenced by the article. You may be surprised at how much fake news can be spread this way!
For example, a fake news article might feature a story about the apocalypse, but it references an article about claims about the apocalypse made in 2012
Step 4. Do a background check on the author and his references
Having to do your research may seem like a tedious extra step, but it doesn't take as long as you might imagine. Find the name of the author of the article and do a quick search on the Internet. Also, find the sources that the article refers to in the text. A well-researched, real-information article will be backed by true facts and written by an educated person.
- Ideally, you're looking for an author who has written similar articles for well-established organizations.
- If the mentioned sources do not endorse the content of the article, it is likely that what you read is false news.
Step 5. Compare the article to a well-established source
Look for an overview of the article in well-informed and reputable sources. Check the information in the article or news report and see if it matches what the experts are saying. If the article appears to contradict the experts' findings, then it can be safely assumed that it is a fake news article.
For example, if you compare an article about COVID-19, it is best to do so with reliable sources such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization
Step 6. Do not be fooled by articles with headlines with cybercrimes
As the name suggests, articles with cyber tags make attractive headlines that act as a hook to entice the reader to click on the article. Unfortunately, the cyber hook is frequently used to lure readers to fake news articles. Studies show that 60% of users on social media will share an article without reading the content. If you come across a headline that seems too ridiculous to be true, don't stop.
Articles with headlines that say things like "You won't believe what happened" are good examples of cyber babes
Step 7. Read new information skeptically to avoid fake news
It may seem a bit negative, but you could protect yourself and others by reading the new information with a more critical eye. Don't treat any information as fact until you've verified the credibility of the author, the website, and the sources. It may take a little time, but you could save yourself a lot of trouble in the long run.
Remind your friends and family to view news reports more critically as well
Advice
You can download special add-ons to your browser that will help you identify false information, such as Bot Sentinel, Bad News, Botometer, and ClaimBuster
Warnings
Always verify the information before posting or sharing anything on the Internet. Even if your intentions are good, false information can do more harm than good
References
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