Guest Column: Think before sharing

By Mike Hazlip–
In the coming days and weeks, we are sure to see all kinds of information coming across our news feeds. We have access to electronic information at a speed and scale never before imagined by Benjamin Franklin, or Johannes Gutenberg. Not all of that information will be accurate, however, and discerning the signal from the noise is becoming an increasingly tedious task.

In response, a number of organizations such as Ad Fontes Media, NAMLE, and All Sides, have emerged with the goal of helping readers better discern the tactics common among many sources of false information. Ad Fontes recently published eight red flags that indicate a story might not be true, that I’ll summarize here.

1. Some sources claim or imply they are the only source of truth using phrases such as “We know the actual truth,” or “What the media isn’t telling you.” If a source feels the need to emphasize that they are telling the truth, they probably aren’t.
2. Drawing a large conclusion based on little evidence. This usually takes the form of a single photo or video where it is unclear as to what is actually happening followed by claims that the image “proves” some sort of larger conspiracy. Big claims usually require big evidence.
3. Disingenuous questions such as “Why wasn’t this investigated?” or “I’m just asking…” imply there is something nefarious going on without providing any proof or context. Also called “begging the question,” this tactic insinuates that the claim is proven simply by asking the question.
4. (and 5). Proving the negative with statements like “There’s no proof that this is wrong,” or “Do you really know what happened?” The burden of proof is on the one making the claim, not the other way around.

6. Implying there is a powerful and shadowy group of people attempting to gain control or influence without being specific about who “they” are or how their actions will advance their goals.
7. Claims that elevate the credibility of one individual beyond what he or she is actually in a position to claim. An example might be “I know someone, who knows someone, who said they worked part-time for the company next door to…” Is the source actually in a position to know what they are claiming?
8. Lastly, just because a claim is censored or taken down doesn’t prove that it must be true because “they” don’t want you to know. This is another form of begging the question.

In addition to the above red flags, I teach my students to evaluate a news story by asking these simple questions:

• What is the source? Is it a reputable news channel or publication? Does the news source print corrections (if not, run!)? Is there a byline? Whose name is attached to the story? What else has that journalist written?
• Is it timely? Is the photo or video actually from the event being reported? If it’s a file photo, is it clearly labeled as such? Is the image or video real or has it been manipulated, edited, or even completely fabricated using AI? A quick reverse image search can often determine the source of an image.
• What are other sources saying about the same story? Is the information in the story attributed to a source? Can you look up that source and verify the information in the story?

Our hard-won First-Amendment freedom of speech guarantees us liberties not found in many other countries. By all means, we can and should speak our minds, share opinions, and exchange ideas, but with great freedom comes great responsibility. We must strive to avoid spreading gossip and false information if we mean to keep our freedom of speech.

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