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News Know-How

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Headlines: "Really!?"

Do you pause before you share? Sharpen your skills for reading news critically: account for your own biases, and identify poorly supported claims, weak evidence, and bad sources. In other words, avoid "fake news" and less obvious forms of misinformation.

Headline Criteria

Headlines: Headlines accurately represent the substance of articles, with minimally emotional language (recognizing that their purpose is as much marketing as informational).

Have You Shared Fake News?

Have you shared fake or misleading news?
Yes, whoops: 6 votes (17.65%)
Probably, but I hope not: 21 votes (61.76%)
Never: 7 votes (20.59%)
Total Votes: 34

Won't get fooled again

  1. Don't believe the headline. At the very least, it's incomplete.
  2. If it's in the form of a question, includes "you won't believe," or "bombshell," skip it.
  3. If the headline appeals directly to your concerns or fears, assume it's attempting to con you.
  4. Google the story. If this is the only site reporting it, it's either an "exclusive" (unlikely) or fake. If there are other sites reporting it, use a well-known, generally dependable news source instead.
  5. Read the article critically. If it passes the Publication, Basic Facts, Evidence, and Bias tests, go ahead and share it.

Headline Purposes

Magazine advertisement for Chevrolet Vega, "The Little Car That Grows on You."The purpose of headlines is to:

  1. increase clicks and shares for ad revenue
  2. provide information about the story

In short, headlines are primarily an ad for the article. If you only read the headline, that's like only reading an ad and thinking you know how well the product actually works*. (BTW, the author of a news article rarely writes the headline. Headline writers do that. Blame them, not journalists, for misleading headlines.)

*The Chevrolet Vega won awards when it was released in 1970, but body and engine problems plagued it until it was discontinued in 1977, and it is on many lists of worst car of all time. Was this advertisement "fake news"?

"Mainstream" vs. "Alternative"

Many people are sure that stories of concern to them aren't being covered adequately or fairly in the "mainstream" news, and seek out "alternative" sources. It's always a good idea to check multiple sources, and there are certainly instances of big, traditional news outlets not covering a developing story. However, there are many non-political reasons that a news outlet wouldn't cover a story, e.g., they might:

  • take longer on breaking news because there's an editorial and fact-checking process
  • not have the resources to send someone across the country on a risky bet
  • think the story either won't develop into something of national interest, or their readers wouldn't connect with it

If in 24 hours major outlets still aren't covering a story, there is often (but not always!) a good reason. If you must post a dubious story, please frame it with a caution, e.g.: "This looks interesting, but I haven't confirmed it elsewhere."