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Social Media & You: Fact Checking

Best practices for evaluating social media content and engaging in information hygiene.

Why Evaluate Information Resources?

We live in a world replete with information on every conceivable topic and subject. According to multiple data analytic companies, including IBM and DOMO, we generate 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day. However, with the openness and freedom of the web comes inconsistent levels of quality (accuracy, reliability). Anyone anywhere can post anything without fact-checking, and where opinion becomes fact. It becomes almost impossible to quickly determine what is truth and what is an "alternate fact."

Quantity and quality make it critical to sort through and carefully verify sources to ensure you are presenting information in papers, reports, and projects that is unbiased and credible. You want to be viewed as an expert and knowledgeable on the subject rather than being lead by hype and persuasion.

For a comprehensive guide on evaluating information, please see the Evaluating Information LibGuide.

News & Media Fact Checking

The following resources are regarded as reputable fact-checking organizations. Links include organizations focusing on U.S. national news, specialty sites, and fact-checking sites outside of the U.S.

Political Fact Checking

The news and other media outlets often use sound bites and information taken out of context to sway opinion or spark outrage. Being an informed voter means researching the candidates and their stance on policies and learning about the issues in order to make informed choices at the polls.

What Is Fake News

Fake news is fabricated information that has been packaged and distributed to appear as legitimate news content. Its intent is to deceive consumers into believing it is true. It is emotionally charged and often sensational to grab attention. The focus is a specific piece of information as opposed to the news or media outlet.

What does not constitute fake news:

  • Satirical news. Dictionary.com defines satire as "the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues." The Onion and The Borowitz Report are prime examples of satirical news originating in the U.S.
  • Op eds and opinion articles. These pieces are written from the author's own perspective and are based on opinion or advocacy. However these types of articles should be treated with some skepticism if the writer doesn't offer compelling support through verifiable fact.

See Constitutional Rights Foundation, Understanding Fake News for a detailed description and activity for learning more about fake news.

About Fake News

How to Spot Fake News

Article from FactCheck.org with key identifiers for spotting fake or deceptive news stories.

  • Consider the source.
  • Read beyond the headline.
  • Check the author.
  • What's the support?
  • Check the date.
  • Is this some kind of joke?
  • Check your biases.
  • Consult the experts.

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