HOW TO SPOT FAKE NEWS

According to Collins Dictionary, Fake News is defined as "false, often sensational, information disseminated under the guise of news reporting.” Technology and the influx of information has made it easier for false information to look factual. Library users must therefore learn to identify and evaluate the trustworthiness of information sources so as not to be misled to taking wrong decisions.

"One key trend in relation to fake news is the increasing number of people who now take their news from digital sources – not just from news sites but many other sources including social media... It is clear there has been a major shift in where people obtain their information, how they perceive its accuracy, and where they feel that they can obtain information that they trust." - Martyn Wade. The Chair of the Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) in a paper expressed his concerns on what Libraries and Librarians can do to improve the situation of fake news crisis.

"...Improving digital literacy is often cited as a potential solution, and it has been adopted as an approach by some professional bodies. A number of academic institutions have also set up guides and tutorials aiming to help students identify fake news. IFLA also encourages libraries and librarians to:

• Underline the importance of media and information literacy both as a foundation for development and well-functioning societies, and a response to concerns around ‘fake news’.

• Continue to support programmes, strategies, partnerships and information sharing that promote digital literacy.

• Defend the importance of freedom of expression and freedom of access to information."

Here are other tips on what to look out for (Spotting Fake/False News):

In attempt to reduce the spread of false news on Facebook. Facebook currently removes fake accounts and disrupt economic incentives for people that share misinformation. They also use signals, like feedback from their community, to identify stories that may be false. 

1.     Be skeptical of headlines. False news stories often have catchy headlines in all caps with exclamation points. If shocking claims in the headline sound unbelievable, they probably are.

2.     Look closely at the link. A phony or look-alike link may be a warning sign of false news. Many false news sites mimic authentic news sources by making small changes to the link. You can go to the site to compare the link to established sources.

3.     Investigate the source. Ensure that the story is written by a source that you trust with a reputation for accuracy. If the story comes from an unfamiliar organization, check their "About" section to learn more.

4.     Watch for unusual formatting. Many false news sites have misspellings or awkward layouts. Read carefully if you see these signs.

5.     Consider the photos. False news stories often contain manipulated images or videos. Sometimes the photo may be authentic, but taken out of context. You can search for the photo or image to verify where it came from.

6.     Inspect the dates. False news stories may contain timelines that make no sense, or event dates that have been altered.

7.     Check the evidence. Check the author's sources to confirm that they are accurate. Lack of evidence or reliance on unnamed experts may indicate a false news story.

8.     Look at other reports. If no other news source is reporting the same story, it may indicate that the story is false. If the story is reported by multiple sources you trust, it's more likely to be true.

9.     Is the story a joke? Sometimes false news stories can be hard to distinguish from humor or satire. Check whether the source is known for parody, and whether the story's details and tone suggest it may be just for fun.

10. Some stories are intentionally false. Think critically about the stories you read, and only share news that you know to be credible.