Guides & Databases: WRT120-Library: Fake News

What is FAKE NEWS?

fake news

false stories that appear to be news, spread on the internet or using other media, usually created to influence political views or as a joke:

(Definition of “fake news” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Internet information that includes one of the following:

stories that are promoted as news which are either misleading, rumors, urban legends, hoaxes, conspiracy theories and/or propaganda, OR,
stories that are actually true news stories that have been slanted by bias in such a way that they completely ignore possible inconsistencies in order to "push the narrative forward", OR,
they are satire stories that are confused for actual news.

Satire - News Sites

News satire is a type of parody presented in a format typical of mainstream journalism, and called a satire because of its content. News satire has been around almost as long as journalism itself, but it is particularly popular on the web, with websites like The Onion, where it is relatively easy to mimic a legitimate news source. News satire relies heavily on irony and deadpan humor.

(Definition from Wikipedia Sept. 2021)

How to Spot Fake News

4 Ways to Spot a Fake News Story

Fake News - Look for this!

10 Ways to Spot a Fake News Story

The source is known to be shady
Other stories from source are incredulous
Reputable News Sites Aren't Carrying It
It Predicts a Future Disaster
It Reveals a Cure for a Major Illness
The Website Carries a Disclaimer
The Story Is a Little Too Funny or Interesting
A Poll is Featured
The Website Has an Odd Domain Name
The Story Makes You Angry

Melanie Radzicki McManus "10 Ways to Spot a Fake News Story" 8 September 2015.
HowStuffWorks.com. <http://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/10-ways-to-spot-fake-news-story.htm> 26 January 2017

WRT120-Library: Fake News