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Fake News

How to think critically about the news we consume on a daily basis.

Use Online Tools to Check for Disinformation

Think Like a Journalist

See this journalist's suggestions for questions to ask when deciding whether to trust a news source:

How to Spot a Fake Tweet

Check the account history of the source. Does it claim to be a well-known source (CNN, ABC, etc.)? Look for three red flags:

  1. Not active very long
  2. Only a few posts in its history
  3. Reuses old or unrelated images as images of new events. Do a reverse image search to check:

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 real? 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. IFLA: International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.

How to Spot Fake Videos

Video isn't always proof.

See this video for examples of fake videos and tips on how to tell if a video is faked:

To check if a video is real:

Research the source and verify details from the video using other credible sources. Still unsure? Try these resources:

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