HOW TO SPOT
FAKE NEWS
TIPS & TRICKS TO KEEP YOU FROM BEING DUPED
VERIFY SOURCES
INDEPENDENT
What is author’s motive in writing the story? If the author has something to gain from writing the story such as money or fame, the story may not be real..
MULTIPLE SOURCES
Stories should be checked with multiple reputable sources to determine if they are real. If a story is found on only one news site, it is probably not real.
Verify Sources
CHECK THE
HEADLINE
If the headline is outlandish and provocative, consider if the story is unrealistic.
CHECK FOR AN AUTHOR
Read a little about the author. Make sure he or she exhibits a reasonable journalism background with credentials and past articles.
No author? Run in the opposite direction.
SEARCH IMAGES
If the image seems unrealistic, double check to make sure it is real. Google Images has a feature to search a picture. Just drag and drop to see if the photo has been used in other possible fake stories or is clearly Photoshopped.
VERIFY SOURCES
Identify the original source. Double check that source to see if it is legit. If you don’t see the story on reputable news sources, the story might be fake.
CHECK FOR CONFIRMATION BIAS
A reader is more likely to put stock in information that confirms their personal opinions. Examine the article carefully to make sure it is fact before you share.
EVALUATE CONTENT
IMVAIN
VERIFIABLE
Does the article use evidence, examples and data are in the article? Evidence should come from experts who know the subject. If the evidence in an article does not use experts and data to prove its point, the article seems weak, the story might not be completely true.
AUTHORITATIVE
What is the type of evidence an article presents? Evidence should come from knowledgeable people with credentials. If the evidence an article does use to proof its point seems weak, the story might not be real.
INFORMED
What type of stories does a website post? A good news outlet presents up-to-date information.
NAMED
Are people in the article named? Or are they anonymous? Is the author of the article named? Authors who do not name themselves do not want to be held accountable for their words. If an article does not have a named author, it is probably not real.
All Videos
SUNY Stoneybrook
From left,
Moderator: Len Apcar, Wendell Gray Switzer Jr. Endowed Chair in Media Literacy, Louisiana State University
Aaron Sharockman, executive director, PolitiFact.com
Sydney Smith, managing editor, iMediaEthics.org
Jarvis DeBerry, columnist, The Times-Picayune Nola.com
Cameron Harris, Maryland political consultant.
Learn more about Cameron's experiment from the New York Times and from NPR.
FAKE NEWS PANEL 2017
STAY SKEPTICAL, ON THE GO
