How to Detect Disinformation
Fake news is the deliberate spreading of “misleading audiences for political or financial gain”, similar to propaganda (Campbell et al 2019, 90). Biases, however, present factual information, but do so in a selective manner. The picture below illustrates obvious examples of fake news. But how do you spot fake news that isn’t so obvious?
Fake news or disinformation can be detected when it is emotionally triggering, makes a bold controversial claim, and/or contains click bait (Government of Canada, 2024). If you come across something online that really hits a nerve, you may feel more tempted to share it. But this is exactly what fake news sources are hoping you’ll do, so always make sure to fact-check. Although reputable newspapers aim to present unbiased reporting, it’s impossible to completely avoid biases. There are biases simply in what newspapers choose to cover, referred to as mainstream bias. There is also distortion bias, as seen in the figure below where the scale of the dollar bills are distorted by over 700% (Wainer 1984, 140). Although outdated, distorted figures can be seen even in today’s reputable news sources, such as the New York Times.
Newspapers tend to show a political preference, making them biased. Below is a chart from Boston University in 2016 separating popular newspapers by political alignment during the 2012 presidential election.
Page to Webpage: Examining the digitalization of the printed press
When looking back at the early stages of the journalism industry, one cannot help but notice the sheer expansion of the newspaper. This proliferation is partly linked to the gain of new readers through the practice of various business models built on ad revenues and circulation. In 1830, about 650 weekly and 65 daily papers operated in the United States, reaching a circulation of 80,000. Just ten years later, the nation had a total of 1,140 weeklies and 140 dailies, attracting more than 300,000 readers. But as the amount of readers grew, the financial incentive pushed newspapers to slowly begin to shift towards a business model that sold to a mass audience, with a wider range of political belief. Thus, newspaper associations turned to wire services that began as commercial and cooperative organizations that relayed news stories and information around the country and the world using telegraph lines. This allowed for news to travel rapidly from coast to coast, in an appealing, cost-free way. This marked the beginning of a shift for newspapers from the entrepreneurial stage to the status of mass-medium. However, the economic prosperity and the development of the newspaper industry has seen a rapid decline from the start of the XXI st century.
Indeed, in recent years, the newspaper industry has had to adapt to the digital era. Favored by a growing presence of the general public on the online platforms and on social media , printed press has had to rapidly familiarize itself with the digital format. One of the advantages of the shift to the digital has been the ability to change and adapt the content to specific audiences. For instance, an online newspaper who publishes articles online can in turn build a wide online community. The numerization of the printed press has meant a shift into various formats. Taking as an example the Washington Post, we can see how this once printed newspaper now can be accessed through its website: https://www.washingtonpost.com/; its mobile application, its email newsletters, as well as social media account such as instagram: https://www.instagram.com/washingtonpost/?hl=en
Online newspapers also constitute an interesting business model: between digital advertisements and subscriptions, not only does the media gain financially, it also reaches a wider visibility. Furthermore, the cost of online publishing is much less significant than in the printed format. One of the biggest challenges is the steady reduction in newsroom staff, due in part to loss of revenue from traditional advertising. Some companies are using digital ad revenue and online paywalls to regain some of this income, as is the case for the Washington Post.
Smoother circulation: The circulation of news online permits a better reactivity to new information and can inform more efficiently, avoiding time consuming tasks such as the process of printing and distribution. The idea of spontaneity of digital press has thus been a true revolution for the way newspapers, as a media, have been consumed by the general public.
The change in attitude of the general consumers of printed press has meant a shift in ways news is presented or used in its digital form. Indeed, it could be argued that the Internet did not kill the printed press, but rather, it is traditional forms of media that had to give up its place to the digital.
This comes to prove just how much Americans' attitudes towards the news have changed, from the high consumption of printed press, to almost half of Americans getting their news from social media in 2017. The digitalization of printed press also meant the development of different forms of media to inform, resume or explain certain information, using videos for example:
This video by the Washington Post on Youtube shows just how the digital form of printed press can include combinations with other forms of media, such as video. These videos, usually framed within headlines or accompanying an article, help to make the news story more interactive, entertaining, and efficient. Similarly, the Washington Post’s use of online games permits the creation of a community of regular users, ensuring a steady consumption of the media they produce.The daily crossword puzzles from the Washington Post are exemplary of the shift in the way newspaper companies interact with their readers and users, shifting away from traditional forms of journalism.
How to Identify a Reputable Source
Identifying a reputable news source in today's digital age can be a challenging task, given the vast array of information available online. However, there are several key indicators that can help individuals discern credible sources from unreliable ones.
One of the primary factors to consider is the reputation, credibility, and history of the source itself. Established news organizations with a longstanding reputation for quality journalism, such as The New York Times, BBC News, and The Washington Post often uphold rigorous editorial standards and ethical standards. Furthermore, the enduring presence of these sources underscores their unwavering dedication to accuracy and transparency, having earned the trust of millions of readers worldwide over decades. Despite the increasing challenges posed by the rise of fake news and the heightened scrutiny of media integrity, these outlets have consistently demonstrated their commitment to journalistic excellence, reflecting their credibility in the eyes of discerning audiences.
Another crucial component of a reputable news source is its prioritization of transparency and accountability in their journalistic practices. Reputable news outlets clearly provide the origins of their information and provide context to help readers understand the story’s significance. Additionally, credible news outlets are quick to issue corrections and retractions when errors occur, demonstrating their commitment to accuracy and accountability.
Furthermore, readers can search out news organizations that are members of recognized professional associations, such as the Associated Press, as membership often indicates a commitment to upholding stringent journalistic standards and integrity. News sources part of the AP prioritize fact-checking and verification processes to ensure the accuracy of their reporting. They rely on multiple sources of information, cross-referencing data and statements to corroborate facts and minimize the risk of spreading misinformation. Additionally, they also disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may influence their reporting, allowing readers to make informed assessments on the reliability and credibility of the information presented to them.
Finally, if you are still unsure about the reliability of a news source, as the reader there are many actions you can take to verify the credibility. Firstly, using sources such as MediaSmarts Fact Search, readers can check to see if information they are reading has been debunked by a professional fact checker. Additionally, as stories can often be posted by fraudulent sources that are made to look legitimate, readers can perform a search on WHOIS, allowing them to see when the URL was registered and who owns it.
Still have questions about identifying a reputable source?
Further Resources:
The Washington Post. (2024). https://www.washingtonpost.com/
Is it legit? Five steps for vetting a news source. News Literacy Project. (2023, January 20). https://newslit.org/educators/resources/is-it-legit/
Amazon. (2024). Media and Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication/ https://www.amazon.ca/-/fr/Richard-Campbell/dp/1319244939