The platform has launched a new tool that will show up at the top of users’ news feeds providing “tips for spotting false news.”
Fake news was a scourge in the most recent presidential election, and has been credited with influencing the election and increasing partisanship.
Here's how Facebook blog post characterized the feature:
When people click on this educational tool at the top of their News Feed, they will see more information and resources in the Facebook Help Center, including tips on how to spot false news, such as checking the URL of the site, investigating the source and looking for other reports on the topic.
News Feed is a place for authentic communication. Improving news literacy is a global priority, and we need to do our part to help people understand how to make decisions about which sources to trust.
In addition to the education component, Facebook is working to improve its ranking system by enabling users to report fake news and working with independent fact-checking organizations to spot false reporting.
It’s noteworthy that Facebook uses the terminology “false news” instead of fake news, which has grown into a catch-all for news that people don’t like.
Here’s the list of tips Facebook provides for spotting false news:
1. Be skeptical of headlines. False news stories often have catchy headlines in all caps with exclamation points. If shocking claims in the headline sound unbelievable, they probably are.
2. Look closely at the URL. A phony or look-alike URL may be a warning sign of false news. Many false news sites mimic authentic news sources by making small changes to the URL. You can go to the site and compare the URL to established sources.
3. Investigate the source. Ensure that the story is written by a source that you trust with a reputation for accuracy. If the story comes from an unfamiliar organization, check their “About” section to learn more.
4. Watch for unusual formatting. Many false news sites have misspellings or awkward layouts. Read carefully if you see these signs.
5. Consider the photos. False news stories often contain manipulated images or videos. Sometimes the photo may be authentic, but taken out of context. You can search for the photo or image to verify where it came from.
6. Inspect the dates. False news stories may contain timelines that make no sense, or event dates that have been altered.
7. Check the evidence. Check the author’s sources to confirm that they are accurate. Lack of evidence or reliance on unnamed experts may indicate a false news story.
8. Look at other reports. If no other news source is reporting the same story, it may indicate that the story is false. If the story is reported by multiple sources you trust, it’s more likely to be true.
9. Is the story a joke? Sometimes false news stories can be hard to distinguish from humor or satire. Check whether the source is known for parody, and whether the story’s details and tone suggest it may be just for fun.
10. Some stories are intentionally false. Think critically about the stories you read, and only share news that you know to be credible.
Both Facebook and Google have been striking out against false stories, which can damage many PR pros’ efforts to boost their organizations’ reputations.
What do you think of the new tool?
from PR Daily News Feed http://ift.tt/2paH5n3
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