It is not too hard if you think about it. really all that has to be done to avoid fake news is fact check stories you read. Among this way, there are other ways to avoid fake news, which I have complied from a few websites:
- http://www.factcheck.org/2016/11/how-to-spot-fake-news/ A reliable list of ways to detect fake news, with good examples
- http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2016/12/05/503581220/fake-or-real-how-to-self-check-the-news-and-get-the-facts Good list of ways to detect fake news
- http://www.ifla.org/publications/node/11174 Instead of listing ways of detecting fake news, they give you a picture.
These websites have compiled a good list of things to do to avoid fake news or at least spot it beforehand.
- read beyond the title, you can learn a lot more from reading what the article has to say
- consider the source, investigate the website, its mission, and its contact info
- check the author, search the author on google to see what else they are credited with
- check the sources the story uses
- make sure the author is not trying to get a rise out of people or just simply using satire
- make sure your own biases are not affecting your judgement
- consult experts, like fact checking websites such as FactCheck.org, Snopes.com, the Washington Post Fact Checker and PolitiFact.com.
It really is simple on how to avoid or at least spot it before you invest your time in it. You could even fact check the stories yourself. Anything you can do to stop the spread of fake news, you should do so the real news can spread more than fake news.
I like that you gave us more than one article to read to avoid fake news with three different strategies.
ReplyDeleteWith President Trump tweeting and screaming fake news every other day, it's essential to stay alert on the spread of lies that the media may or may not be doing.
I think your post was insightful on avoiding fake news and hits the nail on the head.
I'm a big fan of bullets and lists, and in your bullet list, you have some good sources. But readers might not click directly on a URL. Embed that URL in a purposeful title and give readers some background on each source. Why should we click there?
ReplyDeleteI like the format of your blog post and I like that you included articles to read to state your point.
ReplyDelete