Critical thinking—and fighting fake news— are key skills in media and information literacy. Teaching people how to be better consumers of information is a fundamental task at the heart of the library profession. Have questions about something you heard or read? Ask us anything »
Is it true? Follow eight simple steps
- Consider the source: Click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission, and its contact info.
- Read beyond: Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks. What’s the whole story?
- Check the author: Do a quick search on the author. Are they credible? Are they a real person?
- Supporting sources? Click on those links. Determine if the info given actually supports the story.
- Check the date: Reposting old news stories doesn’t mean they’re relevant to current events.
- Is it a joke? If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Research the site and author to be sure.
- Check your biases: Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgment.
- Ask the experts: Ask a librarian, or consult a fact-checking site.
Source: the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
Why should I verify that image before sharing?
Because “this trick can help you spot scams, fake news, and people stealing your photos,” according to this CNet article.
Additional resources
- Deepfakes and national security: This Congressional Research Service article talks about what deepfakes are, how to spot them, and how government bodies are trying to combat ones that may interfere with national security.
- PolitiFact: Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking website
- Factcheck.org: A project from the Annenberg Public Policy Center
- Snopes.com: The long-standing debunking website