How to identify fake news is a frequently asked question by people who are regularly surfing the Internet. It seems like people want to know how to spot fake information and end up getting duped a few times. In recent years, several high-profile cases have been exposed where one-time website content has been used by websites to post fake articles, causing misinformation to readers.
Here are six tips on how to identify fake news on the Internet:
- Do not fall victim to misleading information. Some websites make their web content available in multiple formats, including PDF and HTML. Other platforms allow users to post web content in several formats, too. In case you come across false news on different web platforms, consider using additional resources available on the Internet that verify the source of the information. Make the necessary research and cross-examine posts from other well-known and trusted websites like The Devon Daily to verify your information.
- Watch out for sponsored links on web pages. Websites often put up sponsored links on their home page or contact us forms. These links may be accompanied by an explanation of the sponsoring organization’s mission, or they may point to another web page containing further information. If you see a link such as this, don’t click on it. If you’re really curious though, check the credibility of the organization sponsoring the link first. Fake news organizations frequently use sponsored links in order to attract more visitors to their websites. They have no intention of providing you with information that will help you decide which option is best for you.
- Be aware of multiple tones on the same page. When you come across a website that contains two or more tones of opinion, don’t automatically assume that all the information is true. Some websites use coding that indicates which opinion is included in the piece. Others simply use different words in describing the same issue, making it difficult to ascertain which “opinion” is expressed. Fake news organizations often use two tones for the same misinformation, confusing the average reader. The Internet is full of different voices, so when you read a news story that contains opinions or viewpoints that are presented from different points of view, you have to ask yourself whether you’d prefer one voice over another.
- Avoid news items that contain too many “ifs.” An example of this kind of false item would be a news item that reports that a new anti-virus software is about to hit the market. If the virus doesn’t hit the market, then who released it? The lack of clarity in this example illustrates how to identify fake information in online sources, because if a large segment of the article refers to some sort of “if,” there’s a good chance that the source constitutes only one small piece of information that isn’t substantial enough to make your opinion or decision depend upon it.
- Steer clear of news organizations that ask for your email or mailing address. In a world where social media is being used to spread incorrect or false information, you’ll find plenty of news organizations that ask you for your email address without providing any sort of refund or contact information. Avoid such outlets as much as possible, and look for news organizations that are clearly listed with a phone number and/or physical address. However, just because a website or organization asks for your email to include you in their mailing list doesn’t immediately mean they’re fake. Just be alert, and be prepared to research and verify if the website is fake or not.
- Use social media platforms sparingly and check any articles you read for errors. Never rely upon “if” statements. These can be tempting to click on because they sound like an interesting idea. However, if you come across a news story that sounds like an advertisement, there may be additional resources that you can use to verify the information. For instance, if you don’t see a disclaimer that directs you to the website of the organization that distributed false information, there may be additional resources online that discuss this issue or that explain why it’s not true. Likewise, make sure that the article posted is proofread and doesn’t contain any errors. News organizations take time to polish their articles because they’re journalists. Articles that are shabbily done are not reliable.
Use these tips when you need to learn how to identify fake news. You may be surprised at just how much value the information you come across in many online sources has. It can be difficult to discern what’s legitimate and what isn’t. Whether you are reading about the biggest fish in the ocean or about power tool kits, keep these tips in mind the next time you read an article about your favourite subject. You’ll have a much better chance of determining whether or not it’s worth reading.