Have
you ever received a Facebook post or a Tweet from a well-meaning friend or
relative that appears to be reasonable and true on a quick read and you send it
on? I used to that but I try not to do it anymore. There is so much fake information masquerading
as the truth that we need to be careful about what we send out to our friends
and family. The fake news is designed to hit our hot buttons, getting us to
react with emotion and to take action. I have issues that I am passionate about
as do most of us, and we do react when our hot buttons are pushed.
I
am recommending that before you send on the news you have just received you
take the time to check to see if it is true or fake. By doing so, you will save
yourself from being embarrassed, when your friends tell you and everyone you
have sent the news to that it is fake. Here are the top 5 fact-checking
resources that will help you determine if the information you just received is
true or false.
TOP
5 FACT-CHECKING RESOURCES
The
search for factual information is endless in the digital age. Here are five
fact-checking resources we rely on to help us tackle rumours and misinformation.
SNOPES
Snopes.com
investigates all types of information online. including urban legends. myths
and rumours.
POLITIFACT
PolitiFact
uses the Truth-O-Meter to evaluate statements made by elected officials,
political candidates. activists and more.
FACTCHECK.ORG
Factcheck.org
seeks to combine aspects of both journalism and scholarship to provide accurate information to media consumers.
AMERICAN
PRESS INSTITUTE
The
American Press Institutes new project provides vetted resources for
fact-checkers and journalists.
WASHINGTON
POST FACT CHECKER
Journalist
Glenn Kessler responds to questions from the public and rates statements on a
scale one to four "Pinocchios."