This content provides a practical guide on how to critically evaluate information encountered online, particularly news stories, to distinguish between legitimate reporting and misinformation or "fake news." It emphasizes a multi-faceted approach involving source verification, content analysis, fact-checking, date awareness, and self-reflection.
Mind Map
Click to expand
Click to explore the full interactive mind map • Zoom, pan, and navigate
Know the Source: Always look carefully at the website or social media account that originally
posted the story.
Do some homework on the source.
Is it from a reputable news organization or reporter?
Who funds or sponsors the site?
What are their motivations?
And be careful because many fake news and propaganda outlets use web addresses and designs
that are suspiciously similar to legitimate sources.
Is that really CNN or ABC, or is it a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
Know the Content: Read the entire story, not just the headline.
Is the story believable and logical?
Does it refer to good sources?
Is it straightforward news, or could it be an editorial or opinion piece trying to persuade
you?
Could it be an advertisement?
Could it be a satire or hoax?
Never share a story unless you know for sure what it really says and whether it’s trustworthy.
Know the Facts: In most situations, different news organizations will report the same basic
facts.
If you can’t corroborate these facts across several reputable outlets, there’s a good
chance the story is fake or misleading.
You can also use reliable fact-checking websites, such as Snopes.com, FactCheck.org, PolitiFact,
and the Washington Post Fact Checker, to investigate controversial stories and claims.
Know the Date: Old news stories are often re-posted or re-packaged on social media,
sometimes in an effort to get more clicks and more advertising dollars.
Check the date and make sure the information is current, accurate, and relevant.
And for ongoing news events, be sure to read widely and track stories over time, so that
your knowledge is up to date.
Know Yourself: Research shows that we tend to be the least skeptical of stories that
reinforce our existing values and beliefs.
This means it’s easier to fall for a fake story if it appears to confirm something we
already believe, especially if it plays on our emotions.
When you read or watch a news story, consider whether your own beliefs are causing you to
think or feel a particular way about the story.
And try to keep your emotions in check.
Distinguishing between legitimate news, which helps us stay informed with accurate information
despite its limitations, and “fake news,” which is a dangerous type of misinformation
or propaganda, is an essential skill in today’s complicated media ecosystem.
Click on any text or timestamp to jump to that moment in the video
Share:
Most transcripts ready in under 5 seconds
One-Click Copy125+ LanguagesSearch ContentJump to Timestamps
Paste YouTube URL
Enter any YouTube video link to get the full transcript
Transcript Extraction Form
Most transcripts ready in under 5 seconds
Get Our Chrome Extension
Get transcripts instantly without leaving YouTube. Install our Chrome extension for one-click access to any video's transcript directly on the watch page.
