Aspects to Consider
Remember that it isn't that easy.
There is so much information being pushed out and shared every day, that the appearance of a "professional" look is not a good measure. We have to dive into it a bit more, looking at it with a critical eye. Sometimes the answer will be revealed quickly, other times it could take some extra effort and time. The key is to verify whenever needed.
Whether you are reading a news story on a website or an app, checking a few aspects can help you verify it's credibility.
Wonder about journal articles? These basics apply to all information sources but additional factors such as data and study design might come into play.
First, no matter what PAUSE and take a moment before you react to what is being presented. What is the source of this information? Who is writing it? Is anyone sponsoring the site, like a drug company? What would they stand to gain from this information?
On this page we share one strategy you can use when evaluating information. The acronym helps you to remember the steps to take.
Other pages delve deeper into areas to consider.
Have an example or a tip to share? Let us know. This is an ever evolving challenge and now with ChatGPT on the scene we have another source to consider.
How To Identify Fake News
This method provides 4 simple steps you can take to help verify information when you find it. You can watch the videos below to get a better understanding of these skills.
Online Verification Skills — Video 1: Introductory Video
Online Verification Skills — Video 2: Investigate the Source
Online Verification Skills — Video 3: Find the Original Source
Online Verification Skills — Video 4: Look for Trusted Work
Fact-Checking Sites
- AFP Fact CheckAFP launched its digital verification service in France in 2017 and has grown to become the leading global fact-checking organisation, with dedicated journalists in countries from the United States to Myanmar. Our journalists monitor online content in local languages, from Amharic to Hindi, Polish or Portuguese. They take into account local cultures, languages and politics and work with AFP’s bureaus worldwide to investigate and disprove false information, focusing on items that can be harmful, impactful and manipulative.
- FactCheck.orgWe are a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding.
- Google Fact Check ExplorerThis tool allows you to easily browse and search for fact checks. For example, you can search for a politician's statement, or for a topic. You can also restrict results to a specific publisher. You can search by keywords and see a list of matching claims and the corresponding fact checks.
- PolitiFactFact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact. Our core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing. The reason we publish is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy.
- RumorGuardThe News Literacy Project created RumorGuard to help us all learn how to recognize misinformation and stop it in its tracks. Each fact-checked viral rumor contains concrete tips to help you build your news literacy foundation and confidently evaluate claims you see online.
- SnopesWhen misinformation obscures the truth and readers don’t know what to trust, Snopes’ fact-checking and original, investigative reporting lights the way to evidence-based and contextualized analysis. We always link to and document our sources so readers are empowered to do independent research and make up their own minds.
IFLA - Fake News Infographic
Below is an infographic from the International Federation of Library Associations on steps you can take to identify 'fake news."
- How To Spot Fake News- chart from IFLAAccess pdf or jpg versions
from International Foundation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)