Essential Techniques for finding a fake news
The Fake News is the biggest problems in the social media. These news spread fast like a wildfire and create more damage. People are getting attacked, killed based on the fake news. Is there some methodology available to check the veracity of such news floating in the social media. Yes, using the following techniques, we can spot a fake news.
- One of the prime aim of a fake news is creating a ‘shock value’ instead of generating genuine interest. We have to think ‘why this news is written at this moment?
- Checking the source is utmost important. If any URL of a website is given, then we have to open that website and check it. We have to be suspicious of ‘strange sounding’ URLs like .infonet or sometimes they may confuse with the similar sounding name like bbcuk (instead of bbc.uk)
- We have to cross check the info with the mainstream media. If something is really big, then it must be reported by a handful of popular media outlets. If you find a news that‘s not reported in any news publications, then you have to bit careful about that news.
- Verify the evidence. We have to cross check the statistical data on the fake news. Sometimes, they add ‘fake data’ to enhance its authenticity.
- Carefully look at the supporting images. Most of the fake news images are very difficult to find. However, experienced people easily find the ‘photo-shopped images.’ For this purpose, we can use the tools like ‘Google Reverse Image Search.’
- The last but not least is ‘check that is news is logically convincing”. A hundred people fall from 59th storey of high-rise building in a New York may look ‘extremely important’ but it is really impossible thing to happen. Here, your common sense will play a vital role.
If you follow these 6-rules, you can easily ‘identify the fake news’.
By
Srini