LETTER

Fake news? 

SPOT Fake News Online prompts Canadians to ask themselves four simple questions when consuming online news and information:

S: Is this a credible Source? Check the source of the article - and be skeptical.

P: Is the Perspective biased? Think critically and look for varying viewpoints on an issue.

O: Are Other sources reporting the same story? Be your own fact-checker and verify the validity of the story.

T: Is the story Timely? Check the date the story was published - sometimes, stories use old information to take advantage of a timely occurrence.

Fake news is often used as an umbrella term for misleading, false or fabricated information. It can surface in different shapes, sizes and formats: from false stories, to manipulated photos or altered videos. The term fake news is also used incorrectly to discredit or dismiss information that people don’t like or agree with. SPOT Fake News Online is intended to help build citizens’ critical thinking and preparedness and increase their resiliency to disinformation.

John Hinds, 

News Media Canada

Toronto