Here are some simple tips to help you spot misrepresentation:
- Watch the headlines. Catchy headlines accompany fake news to attract attention. Often these headlines do not reflect the content of the material itself.
- Look at the URL address. Copies of well-known pages or sites are often used to distribute fakes. They may differ from the originals by a few letters in the web address.
- Try to identify the source of the news. Lack of sourcing or references to anonymous leaks are also signs of fake news.
- Carefully review photo and video content. Fake news can be accompanied by inappropriate photos and videos. They may be taken out of context, outdated, or from a different location.
- Carefully analyze the content of the information. If the material is based on conspiracy theories or emotional spin, or the author’s opinion is presented as undisputed fact, then you are looking at biased information.
- Pay attention to the balance of viewpoints. Covering only one point of view is a sign of fake news. Reliable publications usually use multiple news sources.
In times of war, it is especially important to distinguish between falsehoods and the truth. This deprives the enemy of the opportunity to sow demotivation and discord in society.