Sharing sensational news on social media can be tempting, but failure to confirm the article’s authenticity can leave one red in the face.
Before you share an online news article, there are several key factors to consider and there are ways to save face, as well as avoid looking like a gullible twit to your social media circle.
So, you’re scrolling through your news feed and you discover an article with a headline that infuriates you. It shocks you. It gets your blood boiling. It moves you to respond. Immediately you click on the ‘share’ option to warn others of the absolutely horrendous news.
Before you select that ‘share’ option, however, take a moment to consider your reaction. Have you clicked on the link and actually read the article? No? Best you do. Many people fail to even read what they are sharing on social media but are driven instead by the often gripping and sensational headline or teaser that makes the article stand out.
Once you’ve read the article, there are a few other steps to be taken to ensure that you don’t fall victim to the fake news sites that prey on the gullible to solicit clicks and traffic.
- Verify that the source is a reputable one.
- Check out the comments. This is probably one of the easiest options when attempting to ascertain whether the article is bona fide or baloney.
- Confirm that the news site it comes from is not a satirical site. Most satirical news sites will publish a disclaimer on their website, asserting the fact that they share fake or fictional articles. However, some don’t.
If you have followed these steps, but you’re still unsure about the authenticity of the article, you can dig a little deeper by checking if the news site is an IAB SA member or by checking who registered the website. An anonymous registration that hides behind a proxy should send up an immediate red flag.
If you’re pressed for time, or still unsure of the above steps, copy the URL of the article or site and go to realorsatire.com.
Paste the link of the news article in question in the space provided and allow the site to do the work for you.
Easy as that.
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