Confused by all the new terms coming out of the White House regarding the press such as, “fake news,” “alternative facts,” and “the dishonest media”? Her Campus Lasell is here to help!
What is fake news?
“Fake news” is when a news outlet publishes propaganda, hoaxes, and disinformation under the facade of real, fact-based news. Her Campus Lasell is also extending the definition to apply to articles or publications that are sometimes misinterpreted as news, though they are not.
How is it spread?
Fake news is often spread through social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. Before you click on an article or share it, you always want to check if the story comes from a reputable source, and is based on fact.
How do I recognize fake news?
Here are a few different types of fake news to look out for:
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All-out lies.
Sometimes outlets completely fabricate news stories just to get people to stop and read their magazine or click on their page. These online articles have been nicknamed clickbait, and the print versions are usually referred to as tabloids. People are actually paid to write these fake news stories, sometimes to increase viewership, and sometimes to prove just how far fake news stories can spread. If you read something on an unknown website or source, go check and see if the news story has been picked up by any reputable sources, such as NPR or the Associated Press. Check the facts with a quick Google search. The internet has given a platform to fake news sites, but it also gives us access to the truth with a couple well-thought-out searches. If you are unable to discern if the story is honest, then do not share it, and do not take it at face value.
2.) Propaganda
Another more common type of fake news is exaggerated news, where a small fact is blown into a news story disproportionate to its relevance or factual backing. For example, news stories like, “Scientific Fact: Tequila is Good for You!” This takes the information from one scientific study, then reports it as absolute fact without including information that other studies have been done that prove otherwise. This is not news, but instead propaganda for tequila, the same as a story reporting that, “Science Proves Smoking is Great For You”, does not truly represent all of the available facts surrounding the effects of smoking on your health. It’s fun to share a video with your friend talking about how drinking wine makes you smarter, but do not take that for the full truth, and do not take that as the news.
3.) Opinion Articles
The next type of fake news are opinion articles. Reputable news sources do post these articles in order to give people an outlet to express their opinion, and increase understanding of opinions different than the readers. However, one must be careful not to take opinion articles as fact, and always question the bias of writing. If the title of the article has a clear opinion in the title, such as, “Donald Trump is the Worst President Ever”, or “Donald Trump is the Best President Ever”, then this is an opinion article, not news. It is important to read opinion articles to understand the thoughts of others, but these are not news reports and should not be consumed as such.
4.) Fun News
Online magazines like Her Campus or “fun” sources like Buzzfeed are a great place for people to post fun articles, quizzes, and connect with one another. Articles reviewing newly released movies, or quizzes helping you find out which Sex and the City woman you are have their place, but their place is not the news. You should not be getting all of your information regarding current events on Buzzfeed. This also applies to political comedy shows such as The Colbert Report, Samantha Bee, or the Daily Show with Trevor Noah. These shows are hilarious, but they are meant to supplement the news, not to be your only source of news.
5.) Satirical News
The final type of fake news is satirical news sites. Organizations such as The Onion and Clickhole write purposefully untrue and exaggerated news articles to make satire out of real events. These sites are very comical, but be sure not to mistake them for fact as the real news becomes more and more outlandish.
What news sources are reliable?
Currently, both the Associated Press and NPR are recognized as the two least-biased sources of news. Of course, since they are written by human beings, they are bound to have some bias. However, both sources put a conscious effort into attempting to be as factual as possible.
On the slight left, there is the New York Times, CBS, CNN, and MSNBC. On the slight right, there is the Wall Street Journal and Fox News. These are not fake news sources, and their legitimacy is not undermined by their slight political leanings. They still all report the facts. One can be a responsible consumer of the news and still get their news from these sources, as long as they recognize and understand the bias, and read/watch from both sides.
Cover photo courtesy of StartupStock.