Fake News! Or is It?

Assessing Online Sources

Anyone (and I mean anyone) Can Write Online

The modern internet provides a unique opportunity that, historically, humankind hasn’t seen before: anyone and their mother can create and share content online. Unlike previous publishing models, writers are no longer subjected to the rigid editorial process for sharing their works with larger audiences.

This is both good and bad. This approach has gives individuals who were historically marginalized and unable to publish their works now had the ability to more readily do so; on the flip side, it also gave way to writers to share incorrect, misleading, inflammatory content that can lead readers to believe false and harmful information.

Because the internet is still largely unmonitored, it’s important to develop a critical eye for any content we encounter, whether that be a written article, a social media post, a video, etc. Developing effective assessment strategies is vital for getting the most out of our now hyper-connected world.

Where to start? Consider the Source Itself

Ethos, or the credibility/trustworthiness/authority of a source, is arguably the most important things to consider, and should be the first thing you consider when assessing the validity of a source. Good content is created by individuals or organizations who are knowledgeable on the topic and communicating their ideas in a clear, fair manner.

If Something Seems Outrageous, It Probably Is

Because there is so much content available online, most writers and other content creators push outlandish content that will generate traffic and engagement but is not grounded in truth or reason.

Read more than just the title or first paragraph. Engage with the content in its entirety. The body of the text will reveal a lot. Things to watch for:

• Does the content stay on topic? Sometimes, content creators will create an outrageous title to get people to click on their work, but once they do, the content doesn’t align with what’s suggested in the title.
• Does the language match the message? For example, is the tone more objective or more biased in describing a topic?

Who’s Getting Tagged? (Checking the Sources)

Ethos, or the credibility and trustworthiness of a source, can be determined by who the writer/creator cites. The ideal source will cite well-known, respected individuals and organizations within a given field or industry.