Fake News
REAL NEWS vs. FAKE NEWS
Misleading information has been around for a very long time. The 2016 US Presidential election cycle brought "fake news" abruptly into the mainstream consciousness. So what is fake news?
Fake news publishes hoaxes, propaganda and misinformation. Social media outlets thrive on information changing quickly, amplifying errors, lies and misstatements.
Fake news that is well done, can be very hard to spot.
We live in a "post-truth" era, and being able to distinguish real news from fake has become more vital than ever. The skills needed to distinguish between real and fake information are valuable and will always be in demand. This LibGuide will show you some techniques to help you verify news sources, and distinguish between the good, the bad and the ugly!
Why Should YOU Care About Fake News?
Access to accurate news reporting is critical for active participation in a democratic society. Make your own evaluations, judgments and read like a fact-checker.
Citing fake news sources destroys your credibility. If your arguments are rooted in information that has been proven false, it can impact your reputation as a scholar and a professional. Look for news sources that follow the Code of Ethics outlined by the Society of Professional Journalists.
Searching Google is not a special skill -- anyone can do it. Learning to research using academic journals and discipline-specific databases is a valuable skill that we are proud to teach at HPU. Whether you are writing a research paper, voting in an election, preparing for a job interview, or doing research for yourself, you can find a wide collection of resources at the library to support your research.
ASK US! You can always ask a librarian for help navigating library resources. There is no such thing as a foolish question. You are not bothering us -- helping you access and interpret information is our job.
Acknowledgement
HPU Libraries are grateful to Fordham University Libraries for agreeing to our adapting their "Fake News" LibGuide.
Thank you!
Categories of Fake News
Annotated list by Melissa Zimdars of Merrimack College.
