What is Fake News? - An Introduction to Digital Literacy

Fake News is exactly what it says – news that is fake.

What Is Fake News?

It can appear in many different forms and for many different reasons.

Fake news is sometimes created by accident. However, it is also sometimes
created on purpose to get people’s attention; they want as many readers
as possible.

This is so they can:
•make money through advertising;

•promote their opinions;

•promote the opinions of the
organisation they work for;

•trick or entertain people.

Sometimes, you might see or hear something that looks or sounds like news. But, maybe it doesn’t feel quite right and you’re not sure if it is real or fake.

Reliable Sources

One thing you can do is check to see if it comes from a reliable source.

A source can be something:
•you hear on the radio;

•you see online, on TV or
in a movie;

•you read on social
media, in a book,
magazine, newspaper or
on a website.

Reliable source is the term used to describe a source which tries its best to

share information in an accurate and balanced way.

A source can be unreliable for lots of different reasons.

Unreliable Sources

An unreliable source is a source of information that shares information

which is unfair or incorrect.

A source can be something:
•you hear on the radio;

•you see online, on TV or
in a movie;

•you read on social
media, in a book,
magazine, newspaper or
on a website.

This might be on purpose or by accident.

So, how can we tell

the difference

between reliable and
unreliable sources?

Who Said It?

When someone tells you something, it feels right to trust them and believe

what they say.

But, how do you know that they know all the facts in the first place?

When information passes from one person to the next, it can be

misinterpreted or misunderstood.

Who Said It?

Check the facts
Many people share
information online,
on things like social
media sites, which
looks or sounds like
fact.

Sometimes it is;
however, sometimes
it’s not.

It’s up to all of us to
check if something is
real or fake.

If you’re not sure… ignore.

Reliable Source?
Is Old Mother
Hubbard a
reliable source?

Did Aria check
before posting
this online?

She could be
accidentally
sharing fake
news because
she’s listened to
an unreliable
source.

If a person writes for a reliable source, then it is likely that someone else at

the organisation checks their work for mistakes.

Bad Writing
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This means that, among other things, the author has their spelling, grammar

and facts checked before their writing is published.

click next page to zoom in

Bad Writing
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If you’re not sure… ignore.

…which
means maybe
the facts
haven't been
checked
either.

Does the
grammar
look right?
Are there
spelling
mistakes?

Maybe the
writing
hasn’t been
edited by
someone
else…

Reliable Source
Do you know if this website
is a genuine place to get
reliable information?

Eye-Catching
The more
spectacular a
claim, the more
chance people will
click on the story.
This can make
money for the
person who wrote
the fake news and
might be why this
was created.

Some facts don’t stay facts for long.

How Old Is It?

Over time, new information comes to light and our understanding of an

event, person or fact changes.

Try to look for the most up-to-date information. It is likely to be more reliable.

Skip to Quiz

Look at the dates. Which is the

most likely to be accurate?

How can both Jack and Jill be the favourite?

Could they both be wrong?

Now is your chance to test your skills as a fake news spotter.

Have You Been Paying Attention?

Use what you have just learnt to help you tell if the following stories are
fake or real.

What clues can you spot which suggest they
might be from reliable or unreliable sources?

Do you trust the person or organisation
making the claim?

Do you trust that they had all the
facts before posting the information?

Has it been checked carefully?

Is it an old source?