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How to Spot Fake News
Contributed by Elyanna Yasi
In today's world, where just about everything is more convenient and easy due to advances in technology across almost all sectors, information and news have become more accessible. We learn about the latest updates in the blink of an eye. Everything is already at the tip of our fingers. However, these accessible data can also be just a rapid spread of misinformation. So how do we make sure we are not just being bamboozled? Here are some tips on how to spot fake news:
CONSIDER THE SOURCE.
Look for unusual URLs or site names, including those that end with ".co" -- these are often trying to appear like legitimate news sites, but they aren't. Check the site's "About Us" section. Find out who supports the site or who is associated with it.
READ BEYOND.
Clickbait and fake news strive for extreme reactions. Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks. If shocking claims in the headlines sound unbelievable, they probably are.
CHECK THE DATE.
Fake new stories may contain timelines that make no sense or event dates that have been altered. Reposting old news stories doesn’t mean they’re relevant to current events.
CONSIDER THE PHOTOS.
Look for signs of low quality, such as words in all caps, headlines with glaring grammatical errors, bold claims with no sources, and sensationalist images. False news often contain manipulated images or videos. Sometimes the photo may be authentic but taken out of context.
LOOK AT OTHER REPORTS.
Consider whether other credible, mainstream news outlets are reporting the same news. If no other news source is reporting the same story, it may indicate that the story is false.
IS THE STORY A JOKE?
If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Check whether the source is known for parody and whether the details of the story suggest humor. Some stories are intentionally false.