Need help determining facts from alternative facts (aka: fiction)?  Let us help.

Be aware of “fake news.”  What is fake news?  It isn’t news you disagree with—it is content generated by non-news organizations in order to generate an audience for paid advertisements or to spread unverified/untrue information.

Take a look at these examples of fake news sites compiled by CBS.

Also take a look at this Spotting Fake News video from FactCheck.org.

What can you do?
Be skeptical of any news that comes from third-party platforms (such as social media).

Select news sources known for high-quality reporting—search those sources directly instead of settling for web search results or social media news feeds.

Use fact checking sites, such as:

• FactCheck.org
• Snopes.com
• WP Fact Checker:  The Washington Post
• PolitiFact

And don’t forget, you can always ask your librarians for help sorting through fact or fiction…after all this is what we’re trained for!