There are numerous posts on social media related to COVID-19. But, how reliable is the information that we're seeing shared by friends, family, colleagues, and organizations in our networks?
Whenever you encounter new information online, especially information that makes you feel strong emotions like surprise, anger, or fear, your first move should be to stop. Take note of the source. Have you heard of the website? Is it a news publisher you recognize, one with a reputation for trustworthy coverage? If not, you'll need to take further steps to assess the information.
If you want to do a deep dive, check out Sifting Through the Coronavirus Pandemic from digital information literacy expert Mike Caulfield. We'll be following Caulfield's 4-move SIFT methodology throughout the challenge. This week, we're focusing on Stop and Investigate the Source.
Need more help with identifying "fake news"? The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) has a resource available in multiple languages here.
SIFT Infographic by Mike Caulfield is licensed under CC BY 4.0.