With all the noise on the Internet, many of us struggle to find “credible” information. Most people don’t want to be misinformed or misinform others. But how can you decide something you read is credible when information is a mix of, news, opinion, rumor and dis/misinformation It’s not easy but maybe these tips can help.
First start by asking if a story makes “logical sense.” (A headline like “20-foot alligator seen on Christmas Day in Deerfield River” fails the test.) The website snopes.com, a debunking site, can be helpful. In these strange times, sometimes the unbelievable proves to be true but not often.
Most of the time you have to dig deeper. Here are some ways to assess a story’s credibility arranged in order of convenience.
Bylines. Most articles will have a byline because writers want their names to appear with what they write. It’s a matter of credibility and accountability. Be suspicious of stories without a byline or are “staff written.”
Citations. When an article appears in a limited number of lesser-known publications, that is a red flag — especially if it is the exact same article. You may see similar articles appear in established publications because they use syndicated sources (e.g. Associated Press). If an article appears in only one publication but isn’t picked up by other publications in a short time, watch out.
Publication. Established news sources tend to be older and attract competent, full-time writers. They are also more selective in their coverage, attract a following, and have a track record. Established outlets make mistakes but not often.
Sources. Successful writers have access to multiple sources. Writers have an incentive to “go with the flow” so they don’t anger sources and lose access. Too often, sources may be spouting the party line. Cross-checking with other sources may help but not if they are spouting the party line, too. Stories that quote multiple named sources tend to be accurate but not all the time.
Publication ownership/funding. Most news organizations identify the executives and the ownership. Who is the publisher, editor in chief? Who are the owners? Have sources of funding been disclosed?
Conflicts of interest. Does the publication, its management or staff writers receive funding from sources other than the news source they work for? Are they funded by special interest groups? Are outside funding sources disclosed?
Bias. There’s a difference between publication bias and working an agenda. All publications describe information in a certain way even when discussing both sides of an issue. A viewpoint or bias is much different than having an agenda. Publications that work agendas often ignore or dismiss “the other side” as wrong. When an ax is being ground, it is often opinion masquerading as news.
I know this looks like a daunting list. Sometimes it takes effort to understand something you read. If you rebroadcast a piece without taking the effort to understand it, you may be amplifying ideas that are untrue and possibly dangerous.
Jim Geisman is a resident of Greenfield.