Fake News Thread

[Black Panther]

It's funny how much this topic comes up in other threads, but it doesn't have it's own dedicated thread. :bpthink:

One of the worst things about talking about current events on the Coli and elsewhere on the internet is that everyone seems to work with a different set of sources.

We need to have a discussion on what makes something "fake news". If we can't agree on what's fact and what's opinion, why even have a discussion at all? :kanyebp:

DISCLAIMER: The purpose of this thread is not necessarily to denigrate specific news sources. the purpose is to encourage critical thinking about sourcing and research. Any news organization--mainstream, alternative, independent, or otherwise, can get facts wrong, have biases, or participate in sensationalist stories that are more emotional than practical.

However, I don't have a problem naming low-quality sources.

 

[Black Panther]

Saw this on my timeline on FB this morning:

Tips to Spot False News

We want to stop the spread of false news on Facebook. Learn more about the work we're doing. As we work to limit the spread, here are some tips on what to look out for:

1. Be skeptical of headlines. False news stories often have catchy headlines in all caps with exclamation points. If shocking claims in the headline sound unbelievable, they probably are.
   
   
2. Look closely at the URL. A phony or look-alike URL may be a warning sign of false news. Many false news sites mimic authentic news sources by making small changes to the URL. You can go to the site to compare the URL to established sources.
   
   
3. Investigate the source. Ensure that the story is written by a source that you trust with a reputation for accuracy. If the story comes from an unfamiliar organization, check their "About" section to learn more.
   
   
4. Watch for unusual formatting. Many false news sites have misspellings or awkward layouts. Read carefully if you see these signs.
   
   
5. Consider the photos. False news stories often contain manipulated images or videos. Sometimes the photo may be authentic, but taken out of context. You can search for the photo or image to verify where it came from.
   
   
6. Inspect the dates. False news stories may contain timelines that make no sense, or event dates that have been altered.
   
   
7. Check the evidence. Check the author's sources to confirm that they are accurate. Lack of evidence or reliance on unnamed experts may indicate a false news story.
   
   
8. Look at other reports. If no other news source is reporting the same story, it may indicate that the story is false. If the story is reported by multiple sources you trust, it's more likely to be true.
   
   
9. Is the story a joke? Sometimes false news stories can be hard to distinguish from humor or satire. Check whether the source is known for parody, and whether the story's details and tone suggest it may be just for fun.
   
   
10. Some stories are intentionally false. Think critically about the stories you read, and only share news that you know to be credible.

 

[Bernie Madoff]

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_58e6fd6ee4b051b9a9da3d6e?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

 

[Black Panther]

@Cali_livin @Blessed Is the Man @Brady Hoke's Artery @4d 6f 6e 65 79 @AZBeauty @fact @CACtain Planet @the cac mamba @Menelik II @Call Me James @Brendan Frazier @greenygreen @Uncle Hotep

 

[the cac mamba]

:jaymelo:

 

[Black Panther]

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_58e6fd6ee4b051b9a9da3d6e?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

We're talking about sources, not individual articles.

We can talk about HuffPo as a whole (I tend to not read it ), but it's pointless to debate the merits of one particular article from a skewed perspective.

We need to talk about WHY HuffPo is skewed.

 

[Black Panther]

Here are some helpful resources:

http://www.businessinsider.com/what...et-says-about-your-political-ideology-2014-10

Can you pick out the fake news stories that duped millions of people this year?

Blacks more likely to follow up on digital news than whites

 

[Stone Cold]

Great Breakdown

 

[Phoenix Rising]

I don't believe in fake news or I believe that all this anonymous sourcing in journalism has created an environment where most journalism can't be trusted.

The problem with this site is that if a source doesn't fall in line with a Democrat or liberal viewpoint it is labeled as "fake news" and that's mainly because the left, angry about the loss of Clinton, blamed news gotten outside the mainstream as fake.

These days it will take alot more than "sourcing" to figure out the real from the fake. Especially because these sources are spreading nothing but conjecture and innuendo.

Much of the news we get these days is simply lazy journalism which means there is not real investigation. ...it's a sad stat really and the fake news hysteria and looking for an appropriate "source' per say isn't going to solve this problem.

 

[Phoenix Rising]

Great Breakdown

Agreed!

Reading comprehension is low and so now they are trying to train people to think that "smart" equal reading the right things instead of understand and critically analyzing ANYTHING you read.

The insanity is this strange person who started this thread trying to control what people read by posing it as a "dialogue" about "fake news". ..

Read whatever the hell you want just learn how to understand, analyze, criticize, and THINK.

 

[Black Panther]

Also, here's my personal go-to sources for news (in no particular order):

Least Biased/Neutral ():

-Associated Press
-Reuters
-Pew Research

Very Good Journalism, Low/Moderate Bias ():

-NPR (National Public Radio)
-The Wall Street Journal
-USA Today
-BBC
-The Independent
-ProPublica
-The Economist
-The Hill

Fairly Biased, Mostly Decent Journalism ():

-The New York Times
-Washington Post
-NBC News
-CBS News
-The Atlantic
-Forbes
-Business Insider
-Local News
-Los Angeles Times
-Politico

Mostly Biased ():

-CNN
-Fox News
-MSNBC
-Huffington Post
-Daily Beast
-Washington Times
-New York Post
-Vox
-ShareBlue
-Newsmax

Totally Biased, Sensationalist Journalism ():

-Breitbart
-Daily Kos
-Drudge Report
-Occupy Democrats
-PoliticusUSA
-Addicting Info
-Reddit
-Buzzfeed
-NowThis News
-The Young Turks
-ZeroHedge

STAY AWAY ():

-RT (Russian Times)
-Sputnik
-National Enquirer
-InfoWars.com
-PrisonPlanet.com
-Gateway Pundit
-Amateur opinion blogs/vlogs
-Personal opinions

 

[Black Panther]

Agreed!

Reading comprehension is low and so now they are trying to train people to think that "smart" equal reading the right things instead of understand and critically analyzing ANYTHING you read.

The insanity is this strange person who started this thread trying to control what people read by posing it as a "dialogue" about "fake news". ..

Read whatever the hell you want just learn how to understand, analyze, criticize, and THINK.

This thread doesn't stop any person from reading whatever they want to.

If you think I'm trying to "control" what you read, you got more problems than I care to discuss.

Regardless of the source, you have to verify the info. Doesn't matter if we're talking about Reuters or Breitbart. That's the purpose of the checklist from FB above.

You come here to complain and don't take your own advice to

understand, analyze, criticize, and THINK

about how I made a post about checking sources.

And people wonder how misinformation spreads

 

[Phoenix Rising]

Also, here's my personal go-to sources for news (in no particular order):

Least Biased/Neutral ():

-Associated Press
-Reuters
-Pew Research

Very Good Journalism, Low/Moderate Bias ():

-NPR (National Public Radio)
-The Wall Street Journal
-The New York Times
-Washington Post
-BBC
-The Independent
-ProPublica
-The Economist

Fairly Biased, Mostly Decent Journalism ():

-NBC News
-CBS News
-The Atlantic
-Forbes
-Business Insider
-Local News

Mostly Biased ():

-CNN
-Fox News
-MSNBC
-Huffington Post
-Daily Beast
-Washington Times
-New York Post
-Vox
Biased, Sensationalist Journalism ():

-Breitbart
-Daily Kos
-Drudge Report
-Occupy Democrats
-Addicting Info
-Reddit
-Buzzfeed

STAY AWAY ():

-RT (Russian Times)
-InfoWars.com
-PrisonPlanet.com
-Personal opinions

There's bias in all the sources you use sweetie.

Again, critical thinking is key.

AP is a wire service so their news can be found on all the sites you listed, even the sites you stated were "fake news".

For example, this story is from Breitbart but the byline is AP.

The Latest: Judge approves plan to reform Baltimore police - Breitbart

Also Reuters is a wire service, so sites that you call "fake news" also use Reuters.

Example, Trump Calls for Expanded U.S. Nuclear Weapons Capability

Also, what makes you think the Washington Post isn't biased??? Really???

This list is very subjective...what makes you believe you're the most qualified person to talk about this?

 

[Phoenix Rising]

This thread doesn't stop any person from reading whatever they want to.

If you think I'm trying to "control" what you read, you got more problems than I care to discuss.

Regardless of the source, you have to verify the info. Doesn't matter if we're talking about Reuters or Breitbart. That's the purpose of the checklist from FB above.

You come here to complain and don't take your own advice to




about how I made a post about checking sources.

And people wonder how misinformation spreads

I find it really weird to set up this "let me educate you guys" post is all.

I wreaks of PR company or advocacy group who let their intern design a social media campaign to spread news literacy to the plebs....it's just strange to me.

 

[Black Panther]

There's bias in all the sources you use sweetie.

Again, critical thinking is key.

Did you even read the first post?

Any news organization--mainstream, alternative, independent, or otherwise, can get facts wrong, have biases, or participate in sensationalist stories that are more emotional than practical.