By Simon Czerwinskyj, Civic Literacy Librarian
In today’s media landscape, it can be challenging to sort through the constant flow of information and evaluate the accuracy of news articles and social media posts. The fast pace, sensational headlines, and frequent layout changes of social media can make it challenging to assess what you are reading.
As we enter another election cycle, sorting fact from fiction is an important skill to hone. Based on this infographic from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, the steps below can help improve your media literacy.
What’s the difference between misinformation & disinformation?
These terms sound interchangeable, but have similar but different meanings:
- Misinformation is inaccurate or false information shared without the intention of deception.
- Disinformation is false information shared with the intentional aim of being misleading.
9 steps to improve your media literacy
1. Consider the source
Does the author of the story work for an established news source? Also, be mindful of where you’re reading the news; is it a shared story on social media, or the digital platform of a news outlet?
2. Read beyond
Getting your news from a variety of sources is an important part of avoiding bias and misinformation. Even with reliable sources, bias can occur. The headlines may be eye-catching, but what are the facts of a seemingly salacious story? Clicking past the headline and researching a story across sources will aid in getting to the heart of a story.
3. Check the author
What credentials does the author have? And what organizations—if any—is the author affiliated with? What other types of stories has an author written about? A simple internet search of the author’s name can answer these questions. With the proliferation of AI-generated content, you’ll want to check if the author is a real person as well.
4. Review supporting sources
Follow up on the claims of a media source by reviewing the cited sources. Conduct an internet search of the journals, news sites, academic papers, and authors to verify the credentials (or lack of credentials) of the cited sources.
5. Check the date
Is a story that’s a year old being presented as today’s news? Reposting outdated information/images is a common tactic to elicit outrage on social media platforms. Search for the news story using the headline to verify the date.
6. Verify any images
Check that an image isn’t AI-generated or removed from its original context and paired with information to get attention and more clicks. One way to do this is by doing an image search using Google.
7. Consider: Is it a joke?
We’re inundated with sensational information, so it’s important to pause and ask if a story is too outlandish. If a story seems like a joke, research the sources (author and site) to confirm if the information is real.
8. Check your biases
In today’s media landscape, it’s easy to find sources that confirm what you already believe. Reflect on what biases you bring to your information intake and venture outside of your typical sources.
9. Ask the experts
The library is ready and willing to help you on your fact-checking mission. We can provide you with reliable sources and research assistance. Contact us or visit one of these fact-checking sites.
Want to learn more about media literacy and other methods and resources for evaluating sources of news and information? Check out our recently updated Media Literacy Resources page.
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About Simon
Simon Czerwinskyj is the Civic Literacy Librarian. In this exciting new role, he’s interested in exploring the intersection of local government and civic empowerment. He enjoys cycling and cats.