Fake News Information

To help catch fake stories and photographs, media literacy educators offer catchy-sounding tools such as IMVAIN tests for checking the source of a story: (Independent, Multiple, Verifiable, Authoritative, Informed, Named) or the CRAAP Test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose ) to guide students toward independent, authoritative, corroborated, reporting and information.

Below is a wallet-sized card that includes all of those tips and more.

How do you identify fake news?

  • Check the quotes. Do they turn up elsewhere? To find out, copy and paste or type a colorful quote into an internet search and see if it's published elsewhere. If it doesn't turn up, there's a strong possibility it's a fake quote.
  • Check the images. Have they been doctored? If the image seems unrealistic, double-check to make sure it is real. Google Images as a feature to search a picture. Just drag and drop to see if the photo has been used in other possible fake stories, or if it has been clearly manipulated.
  • Who says? Look carefully for attribution. Identify the original source. Double-check that information to see if it is legitimate, If you don't see the story on reputable news sites, the story might be fake.
  • How do they know? Do they cite records or data to back it up? Are the sources and writer experts? Do they have the necessary information to report on the topic? Do these people know what they're talking about?
  • Are they independent? Are they (or you) speaking with bias or motive? Readers are more likely to put stock in information that confirms their personal opinions. Examine the article carefully to make sure it is fact before you share, like, or retweet.
  • Check the URL. Watch for similar URLs! Fake news sites may slightly alter a common web address to fool more readers. For example, ABC News URL is abc.go.com. A fake news website was listed as abc.com.co.

To learn more, visit www.detectfakenews.com

photo: fake news handout 1

 

photo: fake news handout 2