3 ways to weed out fake news

(NC) The internet quite literally allows us to have all the world’s information at our fingertips. Unfortunately, much of the material we find online is error-filled or outright wrong. Here are three ways to ensure that the things you’re reading online are real.

Use trusted sources
If something sounds too good – or too outrageous – to be true, it probably is. For example, if you see something shocking in a social media post, check to see if the story has been covered by any of your trusted news sources.

Add news sites that you regularly visit to your bookmarks. That way, you’ll know you’re being directed to the right place. If you’re being led to a site by a link, make sure that the URL is spelled correctly. Legitimate sites will also have a lock symbol and “https” in the address bar, indicating that they are secure.

Most reputable news sources credit the writers of their stories with an author’s byline or the name of the wire service, such as Canadian Press or Reuters, indicating who wrote the story. A lack of a byline does not necessarily mean the story is fake, but it could warrant further investigation.

If a journalist makes specific claims, say in an article entitled “4 ways to boost your lifespan,” they will cite the source of their information, such as Health Canada or another recognized health authority.

Finally, check if the story is current. Sometimes older news articles resurface, but the information is outdated.

Don’t get baited
Headlines are an important tool that editors use to catch readers’ eyes but, oftentimes, the headline doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s always a good idea to read an article in full to get the entire context instead of making assumptions from a headline.

You should also be aware of spoof websites that intentionally have the look and feel of a real news site, such as U.S.-based The Onion, which posts humorous news articles that some people mistakenly share for real news. There’s also a Canadian equivalent called The Beaverton.

Check the source
While a site like Wikipedia might seem like an accurate source, information on lesser-known topics is less likely to be properly vetted.

If you are trying to verify whether something is true or fake news, a great resource is Snopes.com. For 30 years, the editors of this site have been reviewing images and articles and using rigorous fact-checking standards before rating them as true or false, or if the accuracy is undetermined.

If you’re doing research for work or school, know that librarians are expert researchers. When in doubt, ask your local librarian for suggestions on other credible online information sources. They may also recommend you look into digital literacy resources and courses, such as those offered by ABC Life Literacy Canada.

Learn more about how to find trusted information online at abcconnectforlearning.ca.