Check credentials. Is the author specialized in the field that the article is concerned with? Does s/he currently work in that field? Check LinkedIn or do a quick Google search to see if the author can speak about he subject with authority and accuracy.
Read the “About Us” section. Does the resource have one? It may be on a tab at the top of the page, or a link at the bottom of the page, but all reputable websites will have some type of About Us section and will provide a way for you to conatct them.
Look for bias. Does the article seem to lean toward a particular point of view? Does it link to sites, files, or images that seem to skew left or right? Biased articles may not be giving you the whole story.
Check the dates. Like eggs and milk, information can have an expiration date. In many cases, use the most up-to-date information you can find.
Check out sources. When an article cites sources, it's good to check them out. Sometimes, official-sounding associations are really biased think tanks or represent only a fringe view of a large group of people. If you can't find sources, read as much about the topic as you can to get a feel for what's already out there and decide for your self if the article is accurate or not.
Interrogate URLs. We see quite a bit of domain manipulation these days. For instance, what looks like an .edu domain, followed by .co or “lo” is likely a fake or deceptive site. If you are you seeing a slightly variant version of a well-known URL, do a little investigating.
Who owns the website posting the information? You can find out at either whois.domaintools.com or at whois.icann.org. Both of these websites allow you to perform a WHOIS search. Whenever someone registers a website address, they are required to enter their contact information. When you get to your WHOIS search, enter in the domain (the first part of the website URL). This step can be used to collect all the information when you question a source, or the informations purpose.
Suspect the sensational. When you see something posted that looks sensational, it is even more important to be skeptical. Exaggerated and provocative headlines with excessive use of capital letters or emotional language are serious red flags.
Judge hard. If what you're reading seems too good to be true, or too weird, or too reactionary, it probably is.
This site provides articles and an assessment of their bias, from left to right.
Essential resources for reporting and sharing information that emerges online.
Similar to Snopes but narrower in scope, Hoax-Slayer focuses on email hoaxes, identity theft scams and spam.
The Poynter Institute develops resources for journalists and writers, plus offers resources on fact checking and media literacy for the general public.
One of the oldest debunking sites on the Internet, Snopes.com focuses on urban legends, news stories and memes (and cites their sources).
Double check image sources and see where they came from.
When you open up a news article in your browser, open a second, empty tab. Use that second window to look up claims, author credentials and organizations that you come across in the article.
Fake news spans across all kinds of media - printed and online articles, podcasts, YouTube videos, radio shows, even still images. Be prepared to double-check everything.
Beware of confirmation bias. Just because you might agree with what an article is saying doesn't mean it's true.
As Mad-Eye Moody said in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, "Constant Vigilance!" Always be ready to fact check.
Even the best researchers will be fooled once in a while. If you find yourself fooled by a fake news story, use your experience as a learning tool.
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