Fake news spans across all kinds of media - printed and online articles, podcasts, YouTube videos, radio shows, even still images. Be prepared to double-check everything. When you open up a news article in your browser, open a second, empty tab. Use that second window to look up claims, author credentials and organizations that you come across in the article. Even the best researchers will be fooled once in a while. If you find yourself fooled by a fake news story, use your experience as a learning tool. Use the questions below to help you identify fake news articles.
What is the point this article is trying to make? Was it easy to find? Does the title of the article make sense?
What kind of language is being used? Are the images positive or negative? Do you see lots of exclamation points and words in bold that make you pay attention to them?
Are the links provided sending you to medical journals, articles in well-researched publications or statistical sites?Or are they sending you to "alternative" sites with little factual information?
If a claim doesn't have a link in the article, can I find information on it myself? Are all the links simply recycled from one source, or are there multiple tests, surveys, studies or other sources available?
Beware of confirmation bias. Just because you might agree with what an article is saying doesn't mean it's true.
The Case for Credibility: Evaluating Information
For this assignment, you will be working in groups in breakout rooms that have been chosen by your instructor. You will be finding an article using OneSearch that talks about your company and how the news talks about their sustainability. Use these databases below to begin your searching:
Full text issues of Forbes Magazine, 1917-2000.
Forbes Magazine covers the business and financial world. Also includes analysis on business leaders, politics, entertainment, technology, communication, culture, and style.