Identifying Fake News
How to Think Critically About Online Sources
What's the Big Deal?
Fake news has the capacity to cause real harm. Because our democratic process relies on informed public participation, false news stories undermine our political process. Developing the skills to identify unsubstantiated claims is crucial for a young voter. False narratives, when widely believed, can cause unsubstantiated alarm and lead voters astray.
Who Wrote This?
Identify the author's credentials and uncover potential bias. Anyone can share an opinion, but a credible author will stay within his or her knowledge base and avoid making unsubstantiated claims.
What are the Sources?
Peer-reviewed studies and reputable institutions offer more trustworthy information than Twitter or Facebook posts. Evaluate the author's sources to ensure they are credible and actually support the author's claims.
Has This Been Fact Checked?
If you cannot determine the authenticity of a claim, look to other credible sources for confirmation. FactCheck.org, Snopes.com, the Washington Post Fact Checker and PolitiFact.com are all valuable resources for evaluating the validity of a claim.