What is "fake news"? How can you identify it and seek out reliable sources of information? Fordham University librarians are here to answer these questions and more.
http://www.fordham.edu/library
Video Transcript:
“Fake news.” You’ve probably heard this term thrown around a lot. But, what is it? Fake news is a headline, article, and image that’s created to intentionally mislead you. But, why? Fake news producers may have personal, political, or financial motivations. As it turns out, it can be very profitable to embellish, mislead, or flat-out lie. So then, how can we recognize it? And, how can we prevent it? Learn how to be a savvy internet user. You come across a story that’s been reposted a lot online and it catches your eye. Before sharing it, take a moment to analyze it. Investigate the source. Where did the article or image come from? If it’s one of these, you can guarantee it’s fake news. If it has one of these URL endings, it’s probably fake as well. Unfamiliar with the site? Do an internet search to find out more about it. Read the About Us section. In other words, do some detective work before you make a decision. Check to see if the article lives up to its promise. Some of the headlines make claims that are not supported by the article, this is known as clickbait. How are other news sites reporting the topic? Is this the only article out there covering the subject? Be wary of articles claiming to have unmasked secret developments or proclaiming an impossible solution. Authorship: who is Dr. Joe Smith, anyway? Try to find out some background information on the author. Do they have an internet presence? Are they experts on the subject matter? Are they real people or are they just as fake as the article? Supporting sources: so far, the article is looking pretty good. The author checks out, the website is credible, the story has appeared elsewhere. Next thing to look at: does the article link to supporting sources, and are they real? Take the time to make sure that the links actually support the article. Check the date: When was your article written? Always check the posted date, especially since news can become outdated quickly. If it’s an older article, make sure that the information is still correct and relevant. Is it a joke? Did you raise an eyebrow as you read the article? Does it seem more outlandish than real? Check that the writer and site are not satirical. Check yourself: we all have inherent biases based on our unique experiences. Be extra cautious when you read articles that say exactly what you hope to find...it may be too good to be true. Still not confident that you can detect fake news? Remember you can always ask the experts -- a librarian is just a click away and ready to help you sort through any inconsistencies or answer any questions.
