Tracy Scharn | Library
Originally published in the Hamersly Library winter 2018 newsletter.
Imagine, you’re scanning social media and this news item pops up:
Critically Ill Infant Stopped at Overseas Airport by Travel Ban
You click over and read about an Iranian infant who was on her way to the United States for life-saving heart surgery, but was stopped at the airport because of recently implemented travel restrictions. Your cursor hovers over the “share” button …
Social media has made it easier than ever to share information with others far and wide. It has arguably played a significant role in social change movements, allowing anyone with an Internet connection to potentially have their voice heard on a large scale. This very quality has also made it very easy for misinformation to proliferate and be shared.
While the term “fake news” is in the headlines a lot lately, most people don’t purposely create or share information that they know is false. Instead, a lot of “fake news” is created when people don’t take the time to verify the accuracy of information before clicking that “share” button. If you want to avoid being that person who shares information that isn’t quite accurate, read on.
The News Literacy Project suggests the following approach:
The first thing you should always do is check to see if multiple, reputable news outlets are reporting the same information independent of each other. Go to your favorite search engine and search for information related to the news item you saw. Can you find multiple news outlets reporting the same thing? Are the news outlets you’ve found reputable? If you’ve never heard of them, go to the about us page and see what they say about themselves. Then do a search online and see what other people are saying about them. Finally, are the news outlets reporting information independent of each other? If you see multiple news outlets saying something like, “’The Washington Post’ is reporting today … ” that means that the information hasn’t been verified by other news outlets yet. You still only have one news outlet as your source.
You will also want to monitor your own reactions to the news item you’re seeing. Does it seem like the news item is tugging at your emotions —making you feel sad, angry, outraged, vindicated? Those reactions to news are normal, but it’s a clue that you need to take a step back and evaluate the news with a critical eye. What proof is being presented to back-up claims made in the news item? Also ask yourself: Do you believe what you’re reading because it conforms with what you already think? Challenge yourself to be as objective as you can.
Also keep an eye out for red flags, which can vary widely. Some examples include:
- Broken links, or only linking to other articles within that same publication. Remember, you want multiple, reputable, independent sources.
- Does the news item use neutral language or does it seem to have a bias? Look for language choices that convey particular attitudes or biases. Also be aware of your own biases. Just because we don’t agree with something doesn’t mean it’s biased.
- Is the language over-the-top? (“Unbelievable Action from Congress Makes Your Taxes Go Up!!!”). It may be playing on your emotions and existing beliefs, or it may be satire.
- What sources are cited in the article? Are they anonymous or named? Do they have specialized knowledge or training related to the topics being discussed, or just opinions?
With time and practice, these techniques will become second nature to you and you’ll approach information with a critical eye. You’ll see a news item, quickly check to see what other sources are saying about the topic, check your own reactions and look for potential red flags. You’ll also become more familiar with which news outlets are more reputable than others and skim past those that have proven to be unreliable in the past. Apply these tips and you can feel confident in sharing information that is important to you with your family and friends on social media.
For more in-depth information about evaluating news sources, visit the library’s research guide, where you’ll also find links to reputable sources for news: http://research.wou.edu/news/evaluation
Fact-checking Tools:
Politifact.com focuses on claims made by political figures
Factcheck.org is a non-profit, non-partisan fact-checker focused on politics and political figures
Snopes.com investigates a variety of claims, from politics to urban legends
Have questions or want more information? Get in touch with your librarian!
Call us at the Reference Desk: ext. 88899
Or find the contact info for the librarian in your subject area here: http://research.wou.edu/librarians
Contact the editor at journaleditor@wou.edu to publish a response.
Photo by: thenewslitteracyproject.org
