Nowadays, we are inundated with news stories, social media, and viral content of all types, and the horror of this data surge is that it’s even getting harder for us to tell fact from bull. The spread of disinformation (falsehoods that an individual believes to be true and is purposely spreading) and misinformation (false beliefs that an individual unwittingly spreads) can have a major impact on public opinion, lead to social unrest, or even impact personal decisions.
Becoming a savvy digital citizen requires developing a keen eye for identifying these deceptive practices. This article provides essential tips and techniques to navigate the online landscape with greater confidence and discern truth from falsehood.
Developing a Critical Eye: Spotting the Red Flags
The first line of defense against disinformation and misinformation is cultivating a habit of critical thinking. Before accepting any piece of online content as truth, consider the following:
Consider the Source
Where is this information coming from? Is it a reputable news organization with a history of journalistic integrity? Is it a personal blog with an unknown agenda? Be wary of unfamiliar websites, social media accounts with few followers, or sources that lack clear author attribution and contact information. Look for the “About Us” or “Contact Us” page to understand the source’s mission and potential biases.
Examine the Headline
Sensational or clickbait headlines are often used to lure you into clicking on misleading or false information. If a headline seems too outrageous or emotionally charged, it’s a red flag. Responsible journalism typically presents headlines that accurately reflect the content of the article. Ask yourself: Does the headline accurately represent the information presented in the body of the text?
Analyze the Content
Read beyond the headline and the first paragraph. Does the content make logical sense? Are there grammatical errors or typos, which can sometimes indicate a lack of professionalism or even an attempt to disguise the origin of the information? Be suspicious of articles that rely heavily on emotional appeals rather than factual evidence.
Check the Supporting Evidence
Reputable sources back up their claims with evidence, such as links to credible studies, official reports, or expert testimony. Be wary of articles that make bold statements without providing any supporting evidence or that link to unreliable sources. If statistics are presented, are the sources of these statistics clearly cited? Is the data presented in a way that is easy to understand and not misleading?
Be Aware of Visual Manipulation
Images and videos can be easily manipulated or taken out of context to spread false narratives. Use reverse image search tools (like Google Images or TinEye) to check if an image has been used in other contexts or if it has been altered. Similarly, be cautious of videos that appear heavily edited or lack clear context.
Cross-Reference with Multiple Credible News Sources
If a piece of news is genuine, it will likely be reported by multiple reputable news organizations. Check if the information is being covered by well-established media outlets known for their journalistic integrity, such as Reuters, Associated Press, BBC News, The New York Times, The Guardian, etc. Look for consistency in the reporting across these sources.
Examine Official Sources
For information related to government policies, health guidelines, or scientific findings, always try to consult official sources directly. This could include government websites (.gov), international organizations (.org), or peer-reviewed scientific journals. For example, for information about health, refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) or national health ministries. For scientific data, look for publications in reputable academic databases.
Be Wary of Social Media as a Primary Source
Social media platforms can be breeding grounds for both intentional disinformation and unintentional misinformation. While they can be useful for sharing information quickly, always treat information found on social media with skepticism. Verify claims made on social media through more reliable sources before sharing them. Pay attention to the account sharing the information – is it verified? Does it have a history of sharing credible information?
Use Reverse Image and Video Search
As mentioned earlier, these tools can help you determine if a visual has been manipulated or used in a misleading context. Simply upload the image or video to a reverse search engine to see where else it has appeared online.
Look for Specific Data Points
Vague claims without specific numbers or statistics should be treated with caution. Credible sources will often provide specific data to support their arguments. For example, instead of saying “Many people are getting sick,” a reliable source might say, “According to data from the Ministry of Health, there has been a 15% increase in reported cases of influenza in the past month.”
Verify the References
Reputable sources will clearly cite their sources, allowing readers to independently verify the information. Look for footnotes, endnotes, or embedded links that lead to the original sources of the data or claims. Be wary of articles that make claims without citing any sources or that cite unreliable sources.
Understand Statistical Significance
Be cautious of interpretations of data that might be misleading. Correlation does not equal causation. Just because two things happen at the same time does not mean that one caused the other. Understand the difference between absolute numbers and percentages, as percentages can sometimes be used to exaggerate small changes.
Consider Your Own Biases
We all have inherent biases that can influence how we interpret information. Be aware of your own preconceived notions and be open to considering information that challenges your beliefs. Don’t let your biases make you more susceptible to believing information that confirms what you already think.
Stay Informed and Responsible
Spotting disinformation and misinformation is an ongoing effort that demands you stay attentive and be willing to search for accurate information. The more you do to enhance your critical literacy, check facts, watch out for data and references, the more informed, active and responsible digital citizen you will be. Don’t Forget To Pause, ask, and Verify Online before you believe and share! In today’s digital world, we need to be able to discern the real from the fake.
References, and To-Read:
https://libguides.exeter.ac.uk/fakenews/consequences#
https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/design/clickbait
https://library.brockport.edu/is-it-clear/evidence
https://newsinitiative.withgoogle.com/resources/trainings/reverse-image-search-verifying-photos/#
https://library.csi.cuny.edu/misinformation/fact-checking-websites
https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/online-learning/credible-academic-sources/#
Kushalam 