TIPS TO SPOT FAKE NEWS Social media is now a key way of sharing information, so it is crucial to be cautious when engaging with content online. The following tips can help you spot fake news: • GUIDE TO FACT-CHECKING AND INFORMATION VERIFICATION • • • • • • • If something sounds too good, shocking, or strange to be true, it probably is. If information makes you scared, angry, or satisfied and triggers your emotions, verify its accuracy before sharing it. Seeing grammatical or spelling errors? Be very suspicious. If you hear rumours that something is happening, for example, violent protests, etc, do a Google News search to verify it. If it is a big story, a reputable news organisation would have covered it. Look closely at website addresses and URLs or social media handles, some look familiar to deceive the audience. Check links within the story - does the story link back to the actual content or source it refers to. If you suspect you are receiving false information, have a look at other stories, photos and videos on the website and ask yourself if they look credible. Look at the “About Us” page for a disclaimer to ensure you are not looking at a satirical site. Always be guided by the motto, If you doubt it, check it! WHY DO PEOPLE CREATE FAKE NEWS? Two common forms of false information are: Misinformation and Disinformation. Misinformation refers to false or out-of-context information presented as fact regardless of an intent to deceive. Information whose inaccuracy is unintentional. This includes information reported in error. It happens when people fail to verify information. 7