Analysis during fact-checking
Posted: Wed Jan 22, 2025 4:32 am
News agencies strive to be the first to publish fresh information, which allows them to attract the attention of the public. However, in pursuit of an audience, even reputable publications sometimes publish unverified information, for which they then have to justify themselves and issue refutations. High-quality fact-checking involves answering the following questions:
Is the news true?
Use common sense. The more shocking the content of the headline, the higher the probability that the user will read the entire news. However, the publication may have obvious signs of fiction. It is unlikely that the material about the delegation of the indigenous inhabitants of the planet Mars holding talks with the President of the United States will inspire confidence. You are unlikely to see such nonsense on the pages of serious media, which even present truly significant and shocking information without unnecessary emotions and excessive emphasis.
Analysis during fact-checking
What is the reputation of the publication source?
Check who exactly th loan database information comes from. If the Internet address domain is designated as edu or gov, then the resource belongs to an official educational institution or government agency, which in itself increases the reliability of the news posted on such a site.
Is there a link to the original source?
Reputable news agencies indicate the source of the published information. An exception can be made only for the safety of the journalist. For example, one of the leading Russian media outlets, TASS, often refers to publications of the foreign publication, the New York Times, which also has a reliable reputation.
But even if you follow this rule, you can still run into misinformation. Think of Andrew Wakefield and his Lancet stunt.
Is there similar news in other authoritative sources?
If the information in the publication is not a figment of the imagination of the author who posted it, then similar materials will very quickly appear in other publications. If shocking news is posted in only one source, then it is unlikely to be trusted. At the same time, if the material is presented on several resources, this does not guarantee its reliability. Today, much is said about the information war. One of its elements is massive disinformation in the media, for which publication in many publications, including quite authoritative ones, can be used.
Does the author inspire confidence?
If the material does not contain information about him, this alone should be a warning sign. If the author's name is indicated, this also does not guarantee the veracity of the information. Firstly, the user may sign with a pseudonym, which does not allow one to verify the identity. Secondly, some media personalities are only interested in attracting attention to the news, for which they are even ready to neglect their reputation. Pay attention to whether, along with the name, there are links or indications of sources, a portfolio, which will allow you not only to verify the author's data, but also to understand whether he is competent in the relevant issue.
Date of event.
Check the date of posting the information. The content of the material should be checked for similar information in previously posted news. Fakes often have a template structure and content, in which only individual nuances differ.
Is the news true?
Use common sense. The more shocking the content of the headline, the higher the probability that the user will read the entire news. However, the publication may have obvious signs of fiction. It is unlikely that the material about the delegation of the indigenous inhabitants of the planet Mars holding talks with the President of the United States will inspire confidence. You are unlikely to see such nonsense on the pages of serious media, which even present truly significant and shocking information without unnecessary emotions and excessive emphasis.
Analysis during fact-checking
What is the reputation of the publication source?
Check who exactly th loan database information comes from. If the Internet address domain is designated as edu or gov, then the resource belongs to an official educational institution or government agency, which in itself increases the reliability of the news posted on such a site.
Is there a link to the original source?
Reputable news agencies indicate the source of the published information. An exception can be made only for the safety of the journalist. For example, one of the leading Russian media outlets, TASS, often refers to publications of the foreign publication, the New York Times, which also has a reliable reputation.
But even if you follow this rule, you can still run into misinformation. Think of Andrew Wakefield and his Lancet stunt.
Is there similar news in other authoritative sources?
If the information in the publication is not a figment of the imagination of the author who posted it, then similar materials will very quickly appear in other publications. If shocking news is posted in only one source, then it is unlikely to be trusted. At the same time, if the material is presented on several resources, this does not guarantee its reliability. Today, much is said about the information war. One of its elements is massive disinformation in the media, for which publication in many publications, including quite authoritative ones, can be used.
Does the author inspire confidence?
If the material does not contain information about him, this alone should be a warning sign. If the author's name is indicated, this also does not guarantee the veracity of the information. Firstly, the user may sign with a pseudonym, which does not allow one to verify the identity. Secondly, some media personalities are only interested in attracting attention to the news, for which they are even ready to neglect their reputation. Pay attention to whether, along with the name, there are links or indications of sources, a portfolio, which will allow you not only to verify the author's data, but also to understand whether he is competent in the relevant issue.
Date of event.
Check the date of posting the information. The content of the material should be checked for similar information in previously posted news. Fakes often have a template structure and content, in which only individual nuances differ.