We know that the creators of fake news and fake news sites check verified news sources. They use facts from these verified news outlets and layer it with misinformation to confuse the reader. When confronted by both the fake news and verified news, people tend to discount both the misinformation and the facts. That's the power of fake news.
Additionally, most adults use social media to get their news. Columbia Journalism Review reports that 30% of fake news can be linked back to Facebook while only 8% of verified news is linked from Facebook. There are fewer fake news sources than verified news sources but with social media, their reach is that much more pronounced.
Adapted from the Hannon Library at LMU
Take Action and Combat Fake News!
Here are 6 ways you can make a difference NOW by evaluating and engaging.
1. Think before you share. Read the entire piece before you decide whether or not to share.
2. Verify an unlikely story. Check out some of the tools listed below.
3. Install B.S. Detector, a browser extension that identifies stories from sites that produce clickbait, fake news, and other suspect stories.
4. Help debunk fake news.
5. Rethink your news diet.
6. Evaluate your news using IMVAIN
The bedrock method of deconstruction: Each source in a news report is evaluated using the “IMVAIN” rubric and you can to:
Adapted from the Hannon Library at LMU
Good places to figure out if items are untrustworthy or predjudiced: