Definition of Fake News

The term 'Fake News' has become increasingly widespread in recent years, particularly in relation to politics, news and social media. Misinformation, spin, lies and deceit have of course always existed. What makes Fake News different is a unique set of recent circumstances:

• The growth and influence of social media and the emergence of algorithms and so-called 'echo chambers'
• People able and willing to make stuff up and post it online, either for political purposes or financial gain
• Several significant political elections

Fake News has become such a significant issue that in January 2018 the UK government announced that it was creating a brand new department specifically designed to counter it.

The BBC has suggested there are basically two kinds of Fake News:

1. False stories that are deliberately published or posted to either make people believe something that is totally untrue or to get lots of people to visit a certain website.    
2. Stories that may have some truth in them, but are not completely accurate. This may be because the people writing them - journalists or bloggers for example - don't check all the facts before publishing or posting their story, or may exaggerate some of it to try and get more attention.

In the links below you will find some examples of fake news, including ways to help you spot a fake news story. 

This ITV news report gives some examples of fake news and how to spot it. 

Back in 2016 Factcheck.org suggested that Facebook and Google were to crack down on fake news. Access the factcheck.org report which outlines how to spot fake news. 

2017 saw a huge rise in fake news stories. The BBC website ran this item How fake news plagued 2017

Social media platforms are renowned for creating, publishing and sharing fake news items. Take a read of this Blog 11 easy ways to spot a fake twitter account instantly by Chris Makara  an SEO with more than 15 years of digital marketing experience

The British Council have produced a very helpful How to spot fake news test. 

Filter Bubbles and Algorithms

CIGI-IPSOS  Global Survey 2019 : Internet security & trust: (part 3 Social media, fake news & algorithms

The OU have produced a series of videos Social media - fake news, filter bubbles and sharing wisely!

Information literacy is more important than ever before, because we are surrounded by more information than ever before.

•  Information literacy is to encourage you to 'deep read', to really engage with sources, to ask questions about sources and where necessary to explore ideas further.
•  To have a full and rounded understanding of the sources you're reading (what are the key ideas?) and then being able to transfer that understanding into an assignment.

• To help assess the validity and reliability of sources, always considering strengths and weaknesses, agendas, and context. Sorting through the rubbish! 

What are information Literacy Skills?

• Find information  - search the library catalogue, and other search engines 
• Evaluate- check the source, and the information you have found 
•  is it from a trusted site/source?
• Can you find other relevant pieces of information  to back it up?
• How is it written/produced/displayed? 

Why are they transferable skills? 

Are you aware that you are already using information literacy skills? 

Online shopping as an example 

• Do you know the company?  Are they reputable?
• Can you find any information about the company? Any reviews? 
• Refine results, to style, fit, size, colour etc. 

 Tips to help you with the quiz below

• Consider the Source - Click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission and its contact info.
• Read Beyond - Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks. What's the whole story?
• Check the Author - Do a quick search on the author. Are they credible? Are they real?
• Supporting Sources? - Click on those links. Determine if the info given actually supports the story. 
• Check the Date - Reposting old news stories doesn't mean they're relevant to current events.
• Is it a Joke? - If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Research the site and author to be sure. 
• Check your Biases - Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgment. 
• Ask the Experts - Ask a librarian or consult a fact-checking site. 

Practice your information literacy skills using these stories taken from the Fake news quiz. 

Police in Germany rescue man being chased by baby squirrel

Newborn becomes first baby to be named an emoji

You've heard of Fake News, you know what it is and how to spot it. Below are some examples of Fake News posts and stories to help you recognise a fake from the real thing. 

Social Media 

Facebook post Facebook deletes fake child-cancer posts accounts

BBC News report Coronavirus: How Facebook, TikTok and other apps tackle fake claims

Report from BBC News about a trending fake news challenge BBC News #Broomchallenge

Twitter report from Wired uk This little-known company is killing fake social media accounts

News reports

The Drum Latest marketing and advertising news for fake news, including insights and opinions.

 The BBC has a section on their website with the latest Fake News information. BBC online: Fake News

Fake News help from other Universities 

You can also search the internet for "fake news libguides" or "fake news library information" for example, just make sure you check the source!

• Help guide from Manchester Metropolitan University Library 
• Help guide from London South Bank University   
• Help guide from Indiana University East  
• Help guide from Benedictine university 
• Help guide from Newcastle university 
• Help guide from Fordham University 

Academic articles and reports on Fake News from 2020 onwards 

Search for Fake News resources in the library  Library Catalogue Search 

Articles from 2020

• BBC report: US election 2020: How to spot disinformation

CHATGPT and the Global South: how are journalists in sub-Saharan Africa engaging with generative AI?

Use of artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies in detecting and curbing fake news in journalism

What are deepfakes?

Deepfakes are the manipulation of facial appearance through deep generative methods. While the act of creating fake content is not new, deepfakes leverage powerful techniques from machine learning and artificial intelligence to manipulate or generate visual and audio content that can more easily deceive.

The Guardian  What are deepfakes -  and how can you spot them?

How to fact check disinformation.

Disinformation has been a feature of conflicts throughout history. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has seen a significant increase in the creation and distribution of disinformation, ‘fake news’ and other misleading sources.

It should also be noted that according to Full Fact, disinformation is being used on both sides of the conflict. It is important to be conscious of this when considering how best to minimise the risks of spreading information.

• Misleading videos Ukraine and Beyond: misleading videos
• Misleading images online Spot misleading images
• Misleading headlines When headlines aren't quite as they seem
• Stanford University Article Seven tips for spotting disinformation related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict 
•  The Conversation, by T J Thomson, from Queensland University of Technology Fake viral footage is spreading alongside the real horror in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian initiative from the Kyiv Mohyla Journalism School  Stop Fake

Articles and information dating pre - 2022

Articles from 2020

• Journal of Documentation: Fighting fake news: exploring George Orwell's relationship to information literacy

Articles from 2019

• Public Administration and Policy: An Asia-Pacific Journal: The global rise of “fake news” and the threat to democratic elections in the USA
• Access New Scientist: Facebook tasks fact checkers with tackling misinformation in the UK ​

• Access the Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services: Why do people share fake news? Associations between the dark side of social media use and fake news sharing behaviour

Articles from 2018

• BBC report: The Godfather of Fake News 
• The Independent News report : Fake news: How going viral feeds the murky monster of truth
• BBC special report: The (almost) complete history of 'fake news'

Articles from 2017

• :Reference Services Review: Getting out the truth: the role of libraries in the fight against fake news
• BBC news magazine:  Instagram fact checker-can a new flagging tool stop fake news? 
• BBC report: Fake news: Universities offer tips on how to spot it
• ​BBC report: What's the best way to tame the beast?
• BBC report: How fake news plagued 2017