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Evaluating News Sources: Fake News and Beyond

This guide is reproduced and adapted with permission from Research & Learning Services, Olin Library, Cornell University Library, Ithaca, NY, USA

What is fake news?

Fake news is not news you disagree with. In fact, it is not news at all.

"Fake news" is "fabricated information that mimics news media content in form but not in organizational process or intent. Fake-news outlets, in turn, lack the news media's editorial norms and processes for ensuring the accuracy and credibility of information. Fake news overlaps with other information disorders, such as misinformation (false or misleading information) and disinformation (false information that is purposely spread to deceive people)." [David M. J. Lazer, et al., "The Science of Fake News," Science 09 Mar 2018: Vol. 359, Issue 6380, pp. 1094-1096.].

What you can do about fake news

 Be curious and actively investigate news stories. Learn to recognize fake news sites.

Use news sources that are accountable for their content and that follow journalistic ethics and standards.

Use care before sharing news content with others on social media. Pause and reflect on news sources that arouse strong emotions, positive or negative.

Learn to recognize your own biases and compensate for them.