How to Spot Fake News
My friend Diane has always struggled with her weight. She’s tried pills, fad diets, incredible body-shrinking garments, all to no avail. She fluctuates from being 20 to 40 pounds overweight. She told me she had found this amazing doctor who was going to reset her metabolism. Here’s the catch: she could only eat the foods he prescribed. Nothing else. Also, she could not exercise for 40 days. We’re not talking about training for a triathlon. She is not allowed to walk briskly from her car to the grocery store. No exercise, he said. It was the only way she could reset her metabolism.
As much as I like my friend, I thought she drank the Koolaid! The only surefire way to maintain the weight you want is to eat less and exercise more. This isn’t rocket science, it’s common sense.
Hard to believe, but the same rule applies to our consumption of the media. If something looks too good to be true, it’s probably not true! Fake news sites are the equivalent of new fad diets. The only surefire way to get news placed is to buy a machine (P.R. team and money $$$). Whether the paid machine uses Russian algorithms or a national P.R. firm, here are a few tips to help you recognize fake news.
1. Consider the source. Who do you think placed the news story? Who stands to benefit? Who will be cast in a favorable light? Are there winners and losers?
2. Is the news story fair and balanced? Does it present more than one point of view? Is the story slanted with obviously political leanings without presenting facts to support multiple viewpoints?
3. Cross-check the news. Check top-tier media outlets (New York Times, Washington Post, your regional newspaper, e.g., Seattle Times, Des Moines Register, Baltimore Sun, etc.) to see how they are covering the same topic. If they are not covering the same story, then you’ve encountered fake news.
4. Recognize that top-tier media is not totally unbiased. Understand that the most respected media outlets in the nation are still politically predisposed to be liberal, conservative, radical, reactionary, and even fringe. Understand where they are coming from so you can make an informed opinion.
5. Use Common Sense. When in doubt, use your brain. If news about Angelina Jolie’s divorce from Brad Pitt links to skin care products, chances are the news is fake. If a story sounds preposterous, it is likely to be fake news. Did you really believe that Pope Francis endorsed Trump for President?
Going back to my friend Diane. To stop being fat, she wants an easy solution and doesn’t want to do the long-term hard work (eat less and exercise more) to stay svelte. She’s also damaging her body and slowly killing herself. Same principle holds true with our consumption of the media. Fake News is fun, fast and easy to read, but in the long run it will kill you.
*a Koan is paradoxical anecdote used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment.
Patricia Vaccarino has written award-winning film scripts, press materials, articles, speeches, Web content, marketing collateral, and six books. She is the author of American Spin . Spin is everywhere and is a central fact of 21st century life. We all know “Spin” is a special slant, point of view, emphasis, or interpretation presented for the purpose of influencing people. But do you know it when you see it?
Here is a series of three recent articles that cover this topic:
Patricia Vaccarino
Patricia Vaccarino is an accomplished writer who has written award-winning film scripts, press materials, articles, essays, speeches, web content, marketing collateral, and ten books.
