As the institutions around us continue to let us down, people often turn to alternate sources for information. Individuals and companies recognize this, however, and use it to generate profit.
This leads to the spread of something many views as one of the most significant problems of the 21st century: fake news. From false claims about COVID-19 to stolen elections, wild and seemingly-credible stories are easy to find.
So how can you avoid falling for them?
Today we’re going to examine how to ensure that the information you get comes from a good news source.
Read on to learn more.
Always Be Critical
Whenever you stumble across a news story, always view it from a position of skepticism. Even if it’s from a source that you trust, try to use critical thinking skills to discern whether it’s legitimate.
Taking a step back and questioning the validity of the information in front of you is the first step in identifying fake news. You may find that only some of it are true or that it bears nothing in common with the actual truth.
Know Who the Source Is
One of the best ways to spot fake news is by examining the source. Often, posts from so-called experts go viral on social media. However, upon further examination, it becomes clear that these people have no credibility to talk about the topics they write about.
Analyzing and vetting the source before sharing something is, therefore, paramount.
Just remember that reputable sources are also capable of lying. While you should be more inclined to trust knowledgeable people and industry experts, use your critical thinking skills with them as well.
If you’re looking for market research companies, Peter Dodge Hanover Research is one you can trust.
Consider the Evidence for the Argument
Regardless of who someone is, take the time to deconstruct their arguments.
For instance, if your Facebook friend claims that wearing masks is useless, take a moment to fact-check their argument. The CDC, WHO, and other organizations have myriad empirical evidence that speaks to the efficacy of mask-wearing.
By going in with a critical mind and taking a moment to investigate, you can deduce that their claim is false.
Take Images at Face Value
Information may be easy to manipulate, but images are even more so. Anyone can use software to edit photos, changing the message behind them. They can also use them in out-of-context situations to strengthen bad-faith arguments they’re attempting to make.
Be extra skeptical of images you stumble across online. If you can, try to find the original image and the context in which it was used.
Finding a Good News Source Made Easy
In the era of fake news, getting information from reputable sources is becoming more and more difficult. Use this guide to help you find a good news source that you can trust.
Are you looking to learn more about how you can get expert insights while avoiding fake news? If you are, make sure to check out the rest of our site for more great content.
