Social media and smartphones, have made it easy for people to put out and receive news. The thing is, they’ve also made it harder to know when you’re dealing with fake news. When was the last time you scrolled through your Facebook page and saw an article you were sure was real? Better yet, how many times have you seen articles that made you call up your friends to make sure you were reading the titles right? If you’re a regular social media person, the answer to that is many times. Tired of not knowing when you’re reading accurate and true accounts? Read on to get tips on how to spot fake news on any media channel.
Check out the Author(s)
When you’re not sure whether the article is real or not, you can find out by checking whether the person who wrote it is real. Fake news articles usually have fake authors or author names, or they only exist on phony websites. Even large media companies sometimes host fake contributors.
Analyze the headline
Is it too satirical, hyperbolic or implausible? Does it assign quotes to the wrong people? Does it come with a terrible shot of the subject? If the answer to these questions is no, then good for you, you’re likely reading a real article. If not, chances are that it’s fake.
Look into the Sources
The sources in a fake article might seem plausible at first- for instance, they might quote the constitution- but when you look into them, they’re completely unfounded or inaccurate. Similarly, fake articles might have links claiming to lead to one thing but leading to a totally different one.
Look for evidence on other sites
Usually when a significant event occurs multiple media sites pick it up. If whatever you’re reading doesn’t show up on other social media sites, TV and radio stations, it’s either fake or exclusive. You might want to give it time before sharing it.
VERY important information these days !!!