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Tools for Verification
Looking for some basic tools to help you verify, cross-check, and compare content you see online to avoid spreading fake news? Here are a few basic open access resources to get you started:
Fact Checkers
- Factcheck.orgFactCheck.org fact-checks claims made by presidents, members of Congress, presidential candidates, and other members of the political arena by reviewing TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases.
- PolitiFact: Fact-checking US politicsPolitifact fact-checks claims by politicians at the federal, state, and local level, as well as political parties, PACs, and advocacy groups and ates the accuracy of these claims on its Truth-O-Meter.
- SnopesSnopes.com was originally founded to uncover rumors that had begun cropping up in chain emails and message boards and is now highly regarded for its fact-checking.
- Verification Handbook: An ultimate guideline on digital age sourcingHandbook is a step by step guide for verifying digital content initially created for reporters and emergency responders.
Verify Webpage History
- Internet Wayback MachineWeb archive that captures websites over time and can be used to verify content history and edits.
Check Author's Credentials
- LinkedInA professional networking website where you can look up the authors of articles and books to see if they're credible.
Verify Images
Found an image you think may have been manipulated or photo-shopped? Use these tools to check for any digital changes:
- FotoForensicsIdentify parts of an image that may have been modified or photoshopped.
- Google Reverse Image SearchUpload or use a URL image to check the content history or to see similar images on the web.
- Google Street ViewIdentifying the location of a suspicious photo or video is a crucial part of the verification process.
- TinEye Reverse Image SearchUpload or enter an image URL to the search bar and see a list of related sites. Has plug-ins for your browser.
- WikimapiaCrowd-sourced version of Google Maps, featuring additional information.
Source: William H. Hannon Library. (2017). Tools for verifying. http://libguides.lmu.edu/c.php?g=595781&p=4121899
Things to Consider
Source: IFLA. (2017). How to spot fake news [Online image]. http://blogs.ifla.org/lpa/2017/01/27/alternative-facts-and-fake-news-verifiability-in-the-information-society/
Additional Tips
Source: WNYC. (2013). Breaking news consumer's handbook: Fake news edition [Online image]. http://www.wnyc.org/story/breaking-news-consumers-handbook-pdf/
Evaluating a Report
Online tools can be helpful, but nothing is more important than developing your own ability to think critically about news and information sources. Still unsure of what questions you should ask when evaluating a news report? The Indiana University East Campus Library has provided an excellent example of how to evaluate a news claim from an online source. In the example below, see how the IUE Campus Library evaluated a claim that the earth is hollow.
Source: Indiana University East Campus Library. (2017). Let's check a claim. http://iue.libguides.com/fakenews/claim
Created By:
Alicia Vaandering, 2/2017