Identifying fake news matters to everyone and not just those reading the news, but those writing it too. Journalists frequently reference existing news stories, and without fact checking, they can inadvertently write their own inaccurate story. We take a brief overview of fake news, and how to spot it.
What is Fake News?
Fake news is something that purports to be real, but isn’t. People create fake stories for a number of reasons. These may be ideological, political, or simply to sell papers and cause a reaction. Many fake news stories are deliberately wrong or exaggerated, but in some cases, news is fake because a journalist has failed to check their facts. The rise of social media has meant a huge increase in fake news stories. Fake news is such a hot topic that it’s now covered extensively on any journalism degree.
Identifying Fake News
If you have a feeling what you’re reading may be fake, there are several ways to check. First, take a close look at the URL, a fake one may contain spelling errors. Also check the author, are they real and credible? Think about what the story is trying to achieve, is there an agenda? Are the sources credible? Have other news agencies picked up on the story? As a journalist, it’s imperative that you can spot a fake story from a real one. Identifying fake news is also a specific topic that is covered on a journalism degree.
It is essential that those creating news stories understand what fake news is and how to identify it themselves.
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