How do you spot fake news stories online?

You always need to consider the source. 

You need to look at who the information is coming from and consider if it is based on evidence or opinion. For instance, traditional news media works from a code of ethics that ensures it communicates verifiable facts. Getting your information from reputable news outlets that adhere to rigorous journalistic standards, or from official government channels and health organizations like WHO and CDC mean that you can be confident the information has been fact-checked extensively. 

You can also check information by visiting dedicated fact-checking resources online such as the International Fact Checking Network; FactCheck.org; or Full Fact out the UK.

Have you noticed an increase in fake stories around COVID-19?

Yes. COVID-19 is being called the world’s first social media pandemic because of how much the public is turning to these platforms for information, and this is upping the spread of fake articles and advice.

One particular area of concern early on was misinformation on different types of medical and home remedies that have not been proven by the World Health Organization (WHO) or other medical experts. The range of fake news stories around possible cures for COVID-19, if taken seriously, can prompt people to self-prescribe untested ‘cures’ which could in turn actually harm them. More recently conspiracy theories that minimize the risk of the virus in public are posing challenges for countries aiming to flatten the curve.

How do we, as a society, stop the spread of misinformation online and on social media in particular?

A large part of this rests in the hands of tech giants, governments, and news organizations, who need to do their part to mobilize resources against the spread of misinformation and amplify fact-checking practices.

This need was apparent before coronavirus but has been taken up more intensely by many tech companies and platforms since COVID-19 started to spread. For instance, Google recently invested $6.5 million toward fact-checking organizations, non-profits, in particular, to work against the spread of misinformation on coronavirus. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are implementing procedures for limiting misinformation. TikTok is working directly with WHO to link viewers to user-friendly infographics on accurate information about the virus.

We have a part to play to both as consumers of social media messaging and in informing our friends and family who may be receiving misinformation on their social media feeds – be critical of what you are reading and sharing!

The University of Waterloo has a number of experts available for comment on various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, click here to see the up-to-date list.

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