"Fake news stories can have real-life consequences. So, yes, fake news is a big problem." (NPR)
From the Pew Research Center ...
1. It can't be verified
A fake news article may or may not have links in it tracing its sources; if it dos, these links may not lead to articles outside of the site's domain or may not contain information pertinent to the article topic.
2. Fake news appeals to emotion
Fake news plays on your feelings - it makes you angry or happy or scared. This is to ensure you won't fact-check.
3. Authors usually aren't experts
Most authors aren't journalists, but paid-trolls.
4. It can't be found anywhere else
If you look up the main idea of a fake news article, you might not find any other news outlet (real or not) reporting on the issue.
5. Fake news comes from fake sites
Did the article come from abcnews.com.co? Or mercola.com? Realnewsrightnow.com? These and a host of other URLs are fake news sites.
Source: Indiana University
More definitions of Fake News: |
Fake news is information that is clearly and demonstrably fabricated and that has been packaged and distributed to appear as legitimate news. Fake news refers to a specific piece of information -- it does not refer to any particular type of news outlet or individual. Forms of misinformation that weaponize Fake News:
Source: mediamatters.org |
Fake News is nothing new. It has been around for a long time. The following articles, reports, and webpages provide some background information and context for the current events that have put fake news in the spotlight today, as well as the impact and problems associated with this kind of misinformation:
The following stories explore how fake news becomes news and influences perspective: