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Media Literacy

For ENGL2200

Questions?

Contact a Librarian!

call: 617-989-4040

email: ref@wit.edu

Websites for Fact Checking

A nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.

Focused on looking at specific statements made by politicians and rating them for accuracy.

Poynter works to foster trust and empowercitizens through our fact-checking and media literacy enterprises: the Pulitzer Prize-winning PolitiFact , the Nobel Prize-nominated International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), and the digital media literacy initiative MediaWise.

FactCheck.org's SciCheck feature focuses exclusiveley on False and misleading scientific claims that are made by partisans to influence public policy.

The oldest and largest fact-checking site online, a member of IFCN and in compliance with the International Fact Checking Network's highest standards of combating misinformation online.

The Fact Checker seeks to explain difficult issues, provide missing context and provide analysis and explanation of various “code words” used by politicians, diplomats and others to obscure or shade the truth.

How to Spot Fake News

How to Spot Fake News Poster

How to Spot Fake News

 

Consider the Source

Click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission and its contact info. 

Read Beyond

Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks. What's the whole story? 

Check the Author

Do a quick search on the author. Are they credible? Are they real? 

Supporting Sources? 

Click on those links. Determine if the info given actually supports the story. 

Check the Date

Reposting old news stories doesn't mean they're relevant to current events. 

Is It a Joke? 

If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Research the site and author to be sure. 

Check Your Biases

Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgement. 

Ask the Experts

Ask a librarian, or consult a fact-checking site.