Online Reference

The term “Fake News” covers misinformation, disinformation, inaccurate reporting, satire and just plain made-up stories. Here are eight simple steps you can take to help determine the accuracy of a particular news item. From the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) "How to Spot Fake News" infographic.

• 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 judgement.
• Ask the Experts
  Ask a librarian or consult a fact-checking site.

Video: "Spotting Fake News"
This three minute video by FactCheck.org puts the issue into a nutshell.

How do we check the fact checkers? A credible fact checking website should include a clear account of their process and name credible sources for cross-checking.

• FactCheck.org
• PolitiFact
• Snopes