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In the age of the internet, the spread of false information is at an all-time high; a recent survey found that over 85 percent of people worldwide are worried about online disinformation. With the growing concerns, people are looking for a way to detect misinformation; here are some ways you can identify fake news.
Check the source
When viewing a news article, knowing where the news is coming from is essential. Learning about the source is just as important as the news itself. It would be best if you always researched the publication before making any judgments about the story. Ensure that the reference is up to date, is from a trusted authority, and is unbiased.
Read past the headline
According to research from the Journal of Consumer Psychology, only 51 percent of readers read the whole story, and 22 percent only read the headline and or a few lines. Many publications will use deceiving headlines to paint a different picture than the whole story. Always make sure to read everything before coming to any conclusions.
Check your own biases
People are inherently more trusting of things that confirm their own biases, and publications are aware of that. They may spread misinformation, knowing that people who agree with them will accept it without much thought. Be sure to read the information with a neutral mindset so you’ll be able to pick up on any falsehoods.
See who’s quoted
Quotes are an integral part of any story; it’s wise to see who’s being quoted and if they are credible. Are they qualified to speak on that topic? Are they trustworthy? Are they even real in the first place? If they are not, you are more than likely reading fake news.
Check the dates
One way news organizations can spread misinformation is by mixing around the timeline of events. For example, if there was a headline that said, “Red truck merges onto the highway, crash reported at 3 p.m.” It would seem that the red truck was responsible for the crash, but the crash actually happened way before the truck was on the highway. Always check the dates of events to avoid being deceived by a deceptive timeline.
Recognize satire
There are many “news” sites that are dedicated to telling fictional stories for humorous purposes. You may come across a story that sounds too crazy to be true; be sure to check if the information is from a parody site such as the Onion.
Research the author
Knowing the author’s credibility is crucial in deciding if a story is true or false. Many authors are known for spreading lies or sensational stories; some aren’t even real people. If they claim to work for a particular organization or field, verify that they actually do.
These are a few of the ways you can protect yourself from misinformation; applying these principles will help you detect whether a story is true or false. No matter where you get your information, be sure to do your due diligence and research the story. If you know what to look for and how to verify the truth, it’ll be harder for you to be misinformed.
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