3. Think before you share.
Everybody has a part
to play in making sure that false news doesn’t spread, especially when a big
story is breaking. Before you pass anything along on one of your social
networks, ask yourself these questions:
· Could someone base an important decision (about
their health, their career, travel, etc.) on this?
· Is this about a hot or controversial issue?
· Does this seem “too good to be true”?
· Could people do things that they might regret
based on this?
· Could bad things happen because people thought
this was true and it wasn’t?
If the answer to any of these questions is “Yes”, then you may want to do some more digging before you spread the news.
A list of sites that have a good reputation
for finding the truth.
· A project of the Annenberg Public Policy
Center, this organization checks the factual accuracy of what is said by major
U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and
news releases.
· A non-partisan website where "Internet
users can quickly and easily get information about eRumours, fake news,
disinformation, warnings, offers, requests for help, myths, hoaxes, virus
warnings, and humorous or inspirational stories that are circulated by email."
· PolitiFact staffer's research statements and
rate their accuracy on the Truth-O-Meter, from True to False. The most
ridiculous falsehoods get the lowest rating, Pants on Fire.
· This highly regarded rumour analyzing site has
been researching rumours since 1995.
· Site that debunks email and social media hoaxes
and educates web users about email, social media, and Internet security issues.
Founded in 2003.
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