Growing up, my main source of news came from the television or newspaper. It seemed like a simple transaction. Accredited journalists discussed politics and ethics. I watched and listened, without a doubt in my mind that what they told me was true. Thanks to social media, news is constantly at our fingertips now. Determining what’s true has become a much more difficult proposition.
We see it all the time – a misleading or plain old false tweet blows up, and only after it’s been recirculated thousands of times is it debunked. It happens to me too. I see something that feels urgent and important, and there I go, off to the retweet races before checking the source. I know better. Still, it happens.
As we are flooded with countless articles about COVID-19, the issue seems especially urgent. I decided to create a step-by-step system to make sure I slow down and question everything. It’s difficult to decipher fact from fiction in a situation evolving so rapidly. I thought it would be helpful to share my list with others.
Check the Profile
- Who is in their network and who do they follow?
- What’s their background and apparent biases?
I’ve found it helpful to follow a handful of trustworthy journalists who possess a strong background and an objective lens. It allows me to save time by not scrolling through hundreds of posts. I also have the confidence that the information is credible and reliable.
Do They Cite Sources?
- Are their sources clearly cited in the post?
- Is the information being distributed in other media outlets?
Citations are one of the key differences between a factual and fictional post. A simple hyperlink to a report or to a credible article is an easy way for readers to be certain the information is true.
Does It Add Up?
- Trust your intuition – if the headline doesn’t match the article, you should be wary.
- Refer to dependable websites when there is information being spread that’s hard to verify.
There’s a handful of great websites that fact-check information buzzing around the internet. Snopes, Factcheck.org and PolitiFact are a few of my favorites. If you’re still unsure, it’s helpful to look at government websites such as the CDC’s site, especially during times of natural disaster or the current Coronavirus pandemic.
These past few weeks have been extremely difficult, to say the least. We are all doing our best to simply stay safe and healthy. It’s more important than ever to filter out false information and focus on the truth.
For additional ideas on how to determine if you’re receiving news from a trustworthy source, check out these other posts: