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News Literacy Resources: Home

This guide provides resources for Fake News, News and Media Bias and thinking critically when consuming information.

How to Spot Fake News

Types of misleading information

Misinformation: false or inaccurate information, especially that which is deliberately intended to deceive.

Disinformation: false information which is intended to mislead, especially propaganda issued by a government organization to a rival power or the media.

Propaganda: information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view. 

Fake News: false stories that appear to be news, spread on the internet or using other media, usually created to influence political views or as a joke.

News is

News informs about recent events

News is factually accurate

News can be verified or connected to reputable sites/sources

News authors are experts in their fields 

Types of Advertisements

News or Ads?

clickbait: (on the Internet) content whose main purpose is to attract attention and encourage visitors to click on a link to a particular web page.

sponsored content: Material in an online publication which resembles the publication's editorial content but is paid for by an advertiser and intended to promote the advertiser's product.

News is NOT

News does NOT make an emotional appeal, or rely on prejudice and bias

News does NOT distort, challenge, or obscure beliefs, viewpoints or values

News is NOT a story that is rejected by experts

News is NOT an opinion

News is NOT satire

News is NOT advertising

What is Satire?

Satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's ignorance or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

Examples include:

Satirical articles are NOT reliable sources for research!