It is imperative to stay up to date on all COVID-19 news, but this has become increasingly difficult due to the deluge of false information flooding our news and social feeds. So how can you tell the difference between fake news and real? The following are some best practices:
Consider who is sharing the news
Many people on your social media feeds share news without having considered its validity; in fact, many share news without even having read it first. That means it’s up to you to vet the information before you assume it’s true (we’ve got more on that below) and certainly, before you share it.
Consider who published the news being shared
As a general rule, news outlets will be more reliable sources of news than bloggers and other citizen journalists. But there are many exceptions. So, whenever you read a news story, first thing to ask yourself is whether the outlet/journalist is a trusted, respected source. Next, it’s helpful to consider the outlet’s bias using a tool like AllSides. In the case of citizen journalists, you’ll want to ask yourself whether and how this person is qualified to speak on the topic. For example, an M.D. is more likely to be qualified to speak about medical topics, but you’ll also want to consider the particular M.D.’s biases, including their professional affiliations.
READ the news - more than just the headline
Make sure the story, itself, matches the headline. If it doesn’t, it’s called “clickbait.” Please don’t take the “bait” by forwarding it around to your contacts.
Verify the sources cited by the news being shared
Trustworthy journalists cite their source material. Primary sources (e.g., research reports, studies, first-hand quotes) are generally more reliable than secondary sources (i.e., news and commentary about research reports, studies, and quotes). Beware of vague references that you can’t easily qualify or confirm.
Can the info be verified?
If the information is legitimate, you should be able to read it on other legitimate websites. Library databases are a great resource for confirming the credibility of information. It’s always a good idea to verify facts using trusted sources such as the CDC, WHO, your state Department of Public Health and of course, your own doctor.
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Does it pass the “smell test”?
If someone is making a health recommendation that doesn’t sound quite right, then there’s a good chance it isn’t. If “news” sounds like opinion, it probably is. If news is conveyed using emotional words and/or an emotional tone, you should be suspicious.
When was this news written /published?
COVID-19 information changes minute by minute. In order to have the most accurate data you should check to make sure the information you are reading has been updated recently.
Consult a professional fact-checking service
Make use of fact-checking websites and services such as FactCheck.org, International Fact-Checking Network, PolitiFact.com, or Snopes.com. They’re the pros at vetting news and they do it all day every day. The bottom line is we’ve all seen fake news go viral. It happens fast, and it’s self-perpetuating because people spread it without verifying it.
Here at the Exela Blog, we’re doing our part to vet the news and share only what we can be certain is true. We hope you’ll do the same. As you work through these challenging times, we hope you’ll find this glossary of COVID-19 terms helpful, as well as our special edition of PluggedIN, COVID-19: A Tipping Point For Remote Work. If there is any way you think we can assist you, please do not hesitate to contact us at covidresponse@exelatech.com.
