It’s easy to shout “fake news.” It takes work to get the facts right. Here’s how to be a smarter, better-informed news reader

By the Staff of NetNewsLedger

Category: Media & Society | Local Opinion

Thunder Bay— There are attacks on the mainstream media everywhere, from rally stages to comment threads.

President Donald J. Trump made it popular to call news outlets like CNN “fake news” in the United States.

That line stuck, and people have used it to dismiss stories they don’t like.

At the same time, a lot of people are using unofficial news feeds on social media to get “unfiltered” news.

The problem is that algorithms are made to keep you scrolling. They show you more of what you’ve already clicked on, liked, or watched. That may seem like the truth, but it often turns into bias instead of news.

This is how to tell the difference

What real news does

• Checks facts before publishing.
• Names sources or tells why a source is safe.
• With labels and structure, it separates news from opinion.
• When mistakes happen, issues corrections in a clear and public way.
• Follows rules (defamation law, ethics codes, and editorial review).

This can take a long time. It doesn’t always fit in a viral video, but it’s how people stay up to date.

Blame Gaming the Police?

It is really easy to play social media blame journalism. in crime reporting over time in our city, there has been a lot of accusations on the Thunder Bay Police Service and media releases. The police have to follow a set protocol in reporting. They can’t name a young person under 18 who has been charged with a crime. The police can’t release the name of a person charged until they have been before a judge.

In some cases, police are still investigating a crime and going into the media too soon can make it harder for police to do their jobs.

Police often withhold the name of individuals charged in domestic violence cases, that is not to protect the accused, but rather the victim.

The courts also often will put a publication ban in place as well.

It is not that the public is being denied access to the information.

Same holds true in cases where someone is murdered, or severely injured, police inform the next of kin before the public, it is simply put common decency.

So despite all that, if you remain positive that the “media” is reporting fake news and it is only independent individuals on social media that you can “trust” – what are you likely to get?

What do algorithms do?

• Figure out what you like based on how you act.
• Give you similar content to keep you on the site.
• Reward anger and newness because they get people to click.
• The end result is an echo chamber. You can see your own view better and less of everything else. That’s entertainment or affirmation; it’s not the whole story.

Red flags: bias and false information on the internet

• There is no byline or “About” page, so you can’t tell who is behind it.
• Anonymous claims or “a source says” with no details.
• Clicks come first, corrections never.
• Instead of proof, there was loaded language and insults.
• Screenshots of headlines that don’t link to the full story.
• Clips that were cherry-picked cut out of context.
• Before you share, check this list quickly
• Source: Who put this out? Is it a known news room?
• Does it use documents, data, or named experts as evidence?
• Date: Is this a new story or an old one coming back?
• Corroboration: Do two or more reliable sources agree on the main facts?
• Motive: Is this meant to inform or to stir up?

Create a balanced news diet

Start with local news: NetNewsLedger, TBNewswatch, Acadia Broadcast, the CBC, TBPS releases, City of Thunder Bay notices, TBDSSAB updates, and health unit advisories.

Add CBC, CTV, Global, Canadian Press, Globe and Mail, and National Post to the list of national and provincial news sources.

For world news, include BBC, AP, and Reuters.

Keep your opinion to yourself: Read editorials, but don’t think of them as news.

Diversify: Follow some news sources you agree with and some you don’t. It makes your judgment better.

How to disagree without yelling “fake news”

• Don’t question motives, question specifics. Point to the claim or paragraph and give evidence from a source that goes against it.
• If you see a mistake, politely ask for a correction. Reputable stores will look over and fix.
• Don’t hurt reporters. Don’t argue about the person doing the job; argue about the reporting.
• What we owe you at NetNewsLedger
• Clear sources and links when they are available.
• Corrections, with a date and label.

This clearly labelled column is an example of separating news from opinion.

Reporting in plain language at a Grade 9 reading level that answers the questions of who, what, where, when, and how.

The bottom line

If you only use algorithm feeds on social media, you will probably get more bias and less truth.

Real journalism isn’t always right, but it is responsible.

If you’re not sure, look at the source, look for proof, and read more than just the headline.

Got a question on one of our reports? Ask! newsroom@netnewsledger.com