Fact or Fake?

How to Spot Fake News

Consider the Source:
Click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission and its contact info.​

Read Beyond:
Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks. What’s the whole story?

Check the Author:
Do a quick search on the author. Are they credible? Are they real?

Supporting Sources?
Click on those links. Determine if the info given actually supports the story.

Check the Date:
Reposting old news stories doesn’t mean they’re relevant to current events.

Is It A Joke?
If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Research the site and author to be sure.

Check Your Biases: 
Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgement.

Ask the Experts: 
Ask a librarian, or consult a fact-checking site.

Source: The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

Is it Share-worthy?

Is it real?
Does the evidence hold up? Is the source legitimate? Run a search for the source name and key facts, people or images from the story to weed out the fakes. 

Is it well-made?
Are you impressed by the execution? A well-made story starts with solid facts. It should be calm, clear and neat, not a train wreck of exaggerated emotion (like ALL CAPS WORDS!!!!) And sloppy mistakes.

Is it news or opinion?
What is the purpose? News mainly explains what is happening. Opinion takes a stance to judge or make an argument about it. First-person voice or words like "perspective" and "editorial" are often tipoffs that it is opinion.

Is it supported by facts?
Is there good evidence? Look for statistics, studies, historical examples, primary sources, expert analysis or other signs that the writer has done their homework and can back up their argument.

Is it biased?
Does the evidence show you the big picture? Biased stories may leave out key facts, so you only see one side of an issue. They may also exaggerate or downplay the importance of the story in the context of other news.

Is the bias open or sneaky?
Does the execution clearly aim for a specific audience? News with an open bias often use partisan labels in its titles (like "Left-Wing News") or declares support for partisan missions (like "help Republicans get elected"). News with a sneaky bias pretends it isn't biased at all.

Does it entertain and/or raise awareness?
What is this story's purpose? Weigh whether the story was created for darker reasons, like causing destruction, scamming people for profit, or unfairly hurting someone or something.

Source: NewseumEd “Is This Story Share-Worthy?”

Currency: The timeliness of the information.
When was the information published or posted?
Has the information been revised or updated?
Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?

Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.
Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
Who is the intended audience?
Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper?

Authority: The source of the information.
Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?

Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content.
Where does the information come from?
Is the information supported by evidence?
Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors?

Purpose: The reason the information exists.
What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases?

Source: Blakeslee, Sarah (2004) "The CRAAP Test," LOEX Quarterly: Vol. 31 : No. 3 , Article 4.