One of the biggest issues in our society today is false news and how the media is manipulating the general public as they are automatically considered to be a trustworthy source of news. Just take a second and think, would you question anything being reported on TV or in the newspaper? The answer is quite simple, you will trust the source and will not even take a second to think whether the content is true or false. We are wired to believe that the media is trustworthy and all of their content is authentic.
In today’s digital age, news platforms have an array of different channels to publish their news. This empowers people to constantly stay in touch with current affairs but also has the capacity to allow the media to spread false news like wildfire. Now a news channel can spread news to thousands of people simply by notifying them via an app. Although this proved to be counter-intuitive as these instant channels are being used to spread false information to thousands of people in a matter of seconds.
Rest assured, we have articulated a list of six questions you should ask yourself when determining the authenticity of a news source. These questions are designed to analyze the content, the source and the validity of the platform as a whole. Read on to find out more.
- What Kind Of Content Does The Source Normally Publish?
If you ever read something which just doesn’t seem right or if your intuition tells you that the news being published is false, then the first question you should ask yourself is what kind of content does the source normally publish. Take a look at all of the content that they have published and try to see if there is a pattern the type of content being published.
Some platforms specialize in political affairs while others might focus on other aspects of the news. Once you get a general understanding of their content, you can easily discern if the source has any type of political slat or not. Remember, knowing what you are looking at is the first step you can take to figure out whether the source is trustworthy or not.
- Who Exactly Is The Source And Why Should You Believe Them?
Another profound question you should take into perspective is the reputation of the source. Take Levant News as the perfect example, this is an independent media organization that broadcasts news on its website and via a newspaper. They also publish periodical studies on Arab affairs, socio-economic issues and cultural policy. Although Levant is a newspaper channel that operates in the UK, they also have an online platform for people from other countries around the world.
If you visit their website, you can clearly see how their content enunciates their approach in publishing impartial and neutral news without any discrimination or political, ideological or national orientation. The content this platform publishes does not need any authenticity check as the tone and the content clearly depicts why they are considered to be such a reputable source.
Their website garners substantial traffic on a daily which also proves that people in general trust this source. So make sure you evaluate the source and look for reasons to believe them.
- Is The Main Point Of The Piece Vetted By Evidence?
One of the biggest tricks the media plays is publishing a piece about any given affair and then curating the main point, according to the author’s perspective. If the piece clearly states that it is sponsored by a think tank or generally feels like the writer is trying to use the proximity of knowledge to their own benefit, then this clearly indicates that you should not trust the source.
For instance, if the piece is about a horrific accident and states all the details but the writer is merely assuming why the accident took place, then this source is not to be trusted. If the moral of the publication is clearing being stated without any evidence, then please do not trust this source.
- Does The Source Continue To Publish About An Ongoing Affair?
Most media sources, unfortunately, will publish a piece about an issue and even if new details emerge, they will drop the story altogether. These sources are trying to hide their shortcomings instead of accepting the fact that new information has surfaced. Instead of retracting any false information they might have posted, these sources will drop the story altogether. If you see that the source has made retracting statements, then this proves that they prioritize authenticity above all.
At the end of the day, you will have to evaluate the source with meticulous attention to detail if you want to determine whether they are trustworthy or not. Rest assured, if you consider the aforementioned questions, you will instantly know if the source is trustworthy.