Anyone with an internet connection can watch breaking news unfold in real time, or at least some version of it. Across social media, posts can fly up faster than most fact-checkers and moderators can handle, and they are often an unpredictable mix of true, fake, out of context and straight propaganda.
The risk is higher immediately after politically charged incidents such as the Trump rally shooting, which has already flooded social media with incorrect information and spawned a number of conspiracy theories.
The rapid spread of easily accessible AI tools is mudding the waters even further. How do you know what to trust, what not to share and what to flag to tech companies? Here are some basic tools everyone should use when consuming breaking news online.
Know why misinformation exists
Think about who would benefit from spreading confusing information during a news event. During elections, for example, experts say to look out for conflicting information and conspiracy theories, baseless accusations and unfounded concerns about voter fraud that may benefit one political party or candidate. Propaganda is also used as a tool during armed conflict and can come through official news releases or feed through unofficial channels. Know what the common false narratives and keywords are, such as anything mentioning the “deep state.”
Not all misinformation is serious. Some is created just for fun or to troll people, so be as skeptical of silly stories as serious ones.