We encounter many news stories on a daily basis. While some of the news is true, there are many that are classified as “fake news.”
Regardless of the main source of the news, we – the readers play a huge part in circulating such content and make it go viral.
Today, the main objective of news outlets is to attract readers with eye-popping headlines and luring content that is usually not close to authentic information. Unfortunately, we, the readers find it so tempting that we not only read the complete passage but also share it with our acquaintances.
But did you know that for media our ‘click’ is an encouragement that motivates them to create more content that is false?
If we want to see an end to fake news, we need to stop clicking on it and stop spreading it also.
Here, we list down some tips for spotting fake news and ways to overcome the temptation of clicking and sharing such press.
Once upon a time when consumers were buying physical newspapers, the organizations only needed a few strong cover stories to sell a paper and make a profit. Now everything is online and publications strive to get the clicks and ad revenue on a per-story basis.
This is why they create juicy content and add proactive photos to temp the readers into reading and sharing their stories.
Using the word “reports”
Take for example the headline – “Report: Evil clowns take over Washington.”
Adding the term report in front of the headline clarifies that the publisher has no proof of the evidence and are simply reporting news taken from other sources.
Denials
Another way to spread an unverified story is to publicize a denial. For example, they heard somewhere that the Godzilla has risen from the sea. Since there is no evidence to back such news, the team calls up the Coast Guard and reports, “Coast Guard Denies Godzilla has risen from the Sea”
While that denial is true, the outlet also managed to spread the Godzilla rumor that they could not validate through other means.
Misleading headlines
Adding exaggerated headline is a common practice and if you find it too absurd – it probably is.
We stopped buying cassette tapes so they do not make them anymore.
The same holds true for fake news. The production will stop once the consumer stops buying it altogether.
If you spot fake news or something that seems unauthentic, avoid clicking on it. However, keep a lookout for genuine publication and reward them with your clicks. Once we stop giving attention to wrongful content, they will ultimately stop.
Regardless of the main source of the news, we – the readers play a huge part in circulating such content and make it go viral.
Today, the main objective of news outlets is to attract readers with eye-popping headlines and luring content that is usually not close to authentic information. Unfortunately, we, the readers find it so tempting that we not only read the complete passage but also share it with our acquaintances.
But did you know that for media our ‘click’ is an encouragement that motivates them to create more content that is false?
If we want to see an end to fake news, we need to stop clicking on it and stop spreading it also.
Here, we list down some tips for spotting fake news and ways to overcome the temptation of clicking and sharing such press.
So why fake news?
The publication companies are doing business and the majority of them care about profits.Once upon a time when consumers were buying physical newspapers, the organizations only needed a few strong cover stories to sell a paper and make a profit. Now everything is online and publications strive to get the clicks and ad revenue on a per-story basis.
This is why they create juicy content and add proactive photos to temp the readers into reading and sharing their stories.
Related: Social Media Users that Share Fake News are Usually Senior Citizens, New Study FindsMoreover, news organizations are always under pressure to get stories out as quickly as possible. The faster a story goes live, the more traffic it will get. This tempts the publishers into publishing unverified information that is consumed rapidly by the readers too.
How to spot fake news
Fake news is easy to spot if you know what you have to look for. Here are some of the most common types of fake news:
Using the word “reports”
Take for example the headline – “Report: Evil clowns take over Washington.”
Adding the term report in front of the headline clarifies that the publisher has no proof of the evidence and are simply reporting news taken from other sources.
Denials
Another way to spread an unverified story is to publicize a denial. For example, they heard somewhere that the Godzilla has risen from the sea. Since there is no evidence to back such news, the team calls up the Coast Guard and reports, “Coast Guard Denies Godzilla has risen from the Sea”
While that denial is true, the outlet also managed to spread the Godzilla rumor that they could not validate through other means.
Misleading headlines
Adding exaggerated headline is a common practice and if you find it too absurd – it probably is.
How to stop the spread of false information
Every time you click on a story, you are paying the publisher. Every time you share fake news, you are helping the publisher sell content and make money.We stopped buying cassette tapes so they do not make them anymore.
The same holds true for fake news. The production will stop once the consumer stops buying it altogether.
If you spot fake news or something that seems unauthentic, avoid clicking on it. However, keep a lookout for genuine publication and reward them with your clicks. Once we stop giving attention to wrongful content, they will ultimately stop.
