How do I know if a news story is fake?

Use a quick “verify before you share” checklist:

1. Check the source: Is it a real, recognizable news outlet or an unknown site copying a news-like layout? Look for an About page, named authors, corrections policy, and contact info.
2. Read past the headline: Fake or misleading stories often use emotional, shocking, or exaggerated headlines that the article itself does not support.
3. Check the date: Old stories, photos, or videos can be reposted as if they are happening now.
4. Compare with other reliable outlets: If a major claim is true, more than one credible source will usually report it. Be cautious if only one obscure site has it.
5. Inspect the evidence: Ask whether the article links to documents, data, full quotes, official statements, or eyewitness reporting—or just vague claims.
6. Watch for manipulated context: A real photo, quote, or statistic can still be misleading if it is cropped, old, mistranslated, or missing key context.
7. Check the author and experts: Search the author’s name and any quoted expert. Do they exist, and are they qualified on that topic?
8. Notice emotional pressure: If the story makes you feel furious, terrified, or eager to share immediately, slow down—that reaction is often exploited by misinformation.
9. Use fact-checkers for viral claims: Search the exact headline or key phrase with words like “fact check,” “hoax,” or “false.”

Best rule: don’t decide from one post. A story is more trustworthy when the source is accountable, the date is current, the evidence supports the claim, and independent reliable outlets confirm it.