To read the latest news, we just need to get on the Internet or check our messages. But messaging and social media apps make it easy to spread fake news these days! Before responding to that sensational news from your friend or relative, try checking whether it is legit.
Fake news is often defined as information that is intentionally false and published with the intention to mislead the public or gain financially.
So you've received breaking news from someone you trust, or read something exciting on social media. But is it real?
1. Verify the source
If the news is from a website that you've never seen before, check its "About Us" page to find out more. Skim through other articles on the website to get an idea of what kind of news is usually reported.
2. Compare other news sources
Instead of quickly believing in that piece of sensational news that you read, check if the same news is reported in other local or foreign news sources that are known to be reliable, e.g. Channel News Asia, BBC News, or Associated Press. It is good practice to read news from multiple sources to get a variety of viewpoints.
3. Check the language
Quite often, fake news are not written by journalists, so they may contain grammar and spelling errors.
4. Search fact-checking sites
Sites for checking fake news, scams and urban legends include Truth or Fiction, Snopes, and Hoax Slayer. You can also add words like "fake news" or "hoax" when using a search engine.
5. Discover the purpose
Is the article meant to stir up emotions such as fear and anger or to promote (or slander) a political group? Is it a well-balanced article that provides various points of views meant to inform and educate?
6. Check the date
Sometimes, old news gets circulated months or years down the road, especially through social media and messaging apps, and they are no longer relevant.
7. Find the author
Is there an author's name for the article? If the author is not stated, it may sometimes be because the news is not trustworthy, and the author does not want to be held responsible for it. If there is an author's name, try clicking on the name or Googling it to find other articles that the author has written.
8 Before sharing
If you are not 100% sure that the news is true, don't forward it to someone else so that you do not end up spreading news that may be fake! If you are sure that it is fake or doubtful about its authenticity, you may want to inform the person who sent it to you, so that they can be more vigilant about sharing such news in the future.
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The library subscribes to e-resources which you can use to search or read credible newspapers: |
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Newslink for SPH publications, including Straits Times. Note that it can only search two years at a time. Many of the articles are available in PDF, complete with images. |
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Straits Times (ST) Online provides the current 7 days' worth of news. TP students have been given free personal subscription to ST Online. Find out how to claim your account. [LINK] |
A full list of e-resources listed by content type can be found on this page.
Black Dot Research
Local company that debunks fake news and misinformation.
FactCheck
Check the facts for U.S. politics
Factually
Heard rumors about local policies? Get the facts here.
Hoax Slayer
Debunks hoaxes and educates about social media and internet security
Snopes
Unsure if it's real? Check for hoaxes and urban legends.
Truth or Fiction
Focuses on information widely circulated through emails.
TED-Ed: Why People Fall for Misinformation
TED-Ed: How False News Can Spread
Flack Check: How to Spot Fake News
TED-Ed: How to Choose Your News
Did KFC really open a yurt-style restaurant in the deserts of inner Mongolia? No searching of the Internet please! :)
