Hot to Spot
FAKE NEWS

3 Quick Steps:
Check your source. Go beyond the headline. Check your bias.

What is fake news?

"Fake News" is a relatively new name for an age-old issue. Today, there are 4 main types of fake news that often mislead people. Keep reading to learn about what they are and how to spot them.

Fake News: What it is

  • Completely false or fabricated

  • Misleading information

  • Exaggerated or "click bait" headlines

  • Satire

What it isn't

  • Mistakes that are quickly corrected

  • "Anonymous" sources for reputable agencies

  • News from "biased" sources
    (more on this soon!)

Go Deeper

Types of Fake News:

  • Completely false or fabricated
    Classic "fake news" where the information is a total lie. These are often the source of disinformation campaigns.

  • Misleading information
    News presented in a way that can mislead readers, either unintentionally or not. "Bad" news often falls in this category, with articles that provide selective or poor context, use outdated or weak sources, and generally fail to meet the strict standards that professional journalists aim for.

  • Exaggerated or "click bait" headlines
    Headlines rarely tell the whole story and are often written by someone other than the author of the article. If a headline seems sensational, any good article will provide helpful context.

  • Satire
    These are also completely fake, but intentionally written as a joke or to make a statement. The Onion and The Beaverton are two classic examples.

Why it Matters

It can be tempting to paint some news with a broad brush, especially when we disagree with takeaway or have a firmly different belief than the author.

Knowing when news is "fake" is an important step in helping us engage with different ideas that challenge our own understanding of the world.

Take action: 3 Quick Steps

When you read and share news, follow these quick steps:

  1. Source check

  2. Headline Check

  3. Bias Check

Go Deeper

  • Check the source
    Ask yourself: What is the publisher's reputation? Do they vet their sources and provide context? What perspective might be missing because of the publisher's bias?

  • Go Beyond the Headline
    Does the headline match the content? Most modern news keeps the most important content at the top. Does the context change how you feel about the headline?

  • Check the Bias
    Bias is part of human nature and will always play a role. Ask yourself: Could bias cause an important perspective to be missed? What assumptions are being made?

Sources

Next: 3 Types of Misinformation