Skip to Main Content

Misinformation and Disinformation: Thinking Critically about Information Sources

This Research Guide is adapted from a guide developed by the Research Center at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

How to Spot Fake news from Factcheck.org

Consider the source: click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission, and its contact information

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 information given actually supports the story.

Check the date: reposting old news stories doesn't mean they are relevant to current events.

It is 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 web site

 

 

Breaking News Consumer's Handbook: Fake News Edition

Text equivalent can be found here