Everywhere you turn someone is screaming “fake news”, media outlets today not only offer up a different point of view but seemingly a whole different set of facts. Is there a way to verify facts and make sure that the news you are reading is in fact true? Let’s have a look at how you can discern real news from fake.
- Consider the source
Remember a few years ago all those tabloids near the checkout in the grocery store, proclaiming alien abductions or the love child of Elvis and Big Foot. Those tabloids have all moved online. While you are reading news online you have to consider the source just like you used to in the grocery store. Do they verify their sources, are there links to a credible source. There are some sites that offer headlines so irrational you can dismiss them out of hand.
- The Devil is in the details
No one has screamed “Fake News” louder than President Trump, seemingly every outlet that doesn’t give him favorable coverage now publishes fake news. Sometimes you get news stories with one or two verifiable facts but the rest is completely false. If you rely on social media to get your news, and many people do, then be wary of MEME’s. Memes provide an often funny or humorous way to present information, the problem is, most of the information is outright false or completely biased.
- Don’t live in an echo chamber
Don’t automatically agree with the information because it supports your point of view, rather try and look at it objectively. Does it make sense? Look at the actual facts rather than what you would like to be true.
- Try and be openminded
Overcoming your own personal prejudice and biases isn’t easy. You need to evaluate the entire story and never get all your information from just one source. There are plenty of credible media outlets that have their own political biases so don’t rely on just Fox News or MSNBC to get the whole picture, get as many facts and perspectives as possible.
- Double check absolutely everything
Don’t be part of the problem and spread misinformation, even inadvertently. That means before you post a story on social media do the best you can to double check the facts.
We deserve better than having to double check each and every piece of information that comes in front of us. Yes, some news organizations are far better than others but be wary just the same.
