Ways for Detecting False Information

 

There are different ways for detecting false information:

• Look for inconsistencies and contradictions in the text
• Identify whose agenda and interests are being served by the story
• Examine the source for what information is presented favorably or negatively and ask why
• Interpret information from multiple viewpoints
• Look at the emotional content of the language and decide if it is meant to make you happy, angry, sad, or outraged. Why?
• Examine whether the source is confusing on purpose
• Identify whether the visual images accompanying the story are real, taken out of context, photoshopped, or falsified in some other way

 

References

Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (2022, February). How to Identify Misinformation, Disinformation, and Malinformation. Retrieved https://cyber.gc.ca/sites/default/files/cyber/2022-02/ITSAP-00-300-How-To-Identify-Misinformation_e.pdf

How to Spot Real and Fake News. Retrieved https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/fake-news.htm