This graphic from the infodemic article below demonstrates the value of checking news sources. Sharing and using the resources on this page will slow the spread of misinformation.
Some news is intentionally false (satire, hoaxes, disinformation). Other news aims to be real. The creator, author, journalist, director, editor, publisher, producer, and sharer each have an opportunity to contribute a perspective or bias on their news products.
This video from How Stuff Works provides an introduction to fake news and an accompanying article "10 Ways to Spot a Fake News Story."
Wondering to what extent misinformation infiltrated your social media?
1. Start with this checklist from On the Media's Breaking News Consumer's Handbook, Fake News Edition.
2. Visit websites that investigate news stories and urban legends. We link to sites that not only investigate the stories, they provide you with enough information that you can fact check their fact checking.
3. Conduct your own research.
Google the article (or use other Internet search tool)
Google the author
Google the facts
Google the money
Fact check photos and other media using these sources. Some biased or created news stories use photos or videos that are old, are from other events, or have nothing to do with the article. Others may use photo or video created or altered using artificial intelligence algorithms. Investigating if and where the photo or videos appeared before can uncover these discrepancies.
Search for other photos of the event or person. Other photos may offer a different perspective or provide context.
Simple search options include:
More advanced researchers can try:
Photos and videos that have been altered or created using advanced technology can be difficult evaluate. "The term deepfake is typically used to refer to a video that has been edited using an algorithm to replace the person in the original video with someone else (especially a public figure) in a way that makes the video look authentic." from Merriam-Webster, Words We're Watching: 'Deepfake', July 31, 2019.