How do I spot misinformation or "fake news"?
Answer
“Fake news” is not news you disagree with but news that spreads misinformation. The ability to tell accurate news from fake news is an important skill that you'll use your entire life.
There are four broad categories of fake news, according to media professor Melissa Zimdars of Merrimack College.
CATEGORY 1: Fake, false, or regularly misleading websites that are shared on Facebook and social media.
CATEGORY 2: Websites that may circulate misleading and/or potentially unreliable information.
CATEGORY 3: Websites that sometimes use clickbait-y headlines and social media descriptions.
CATEGORY 4: Satire/comedy sites, which can offer important critical commentary on politics and society but have the potential to be shared as actual/literal news.
For more information on how to spot fake news, visit the "Fake News" & Misinformation Research Guide.
