The best fact-checking sites to deal with misinformation.fact checking news networks.
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if the information you are reading is real or fictional. There is plenty of misinformation. It’s up to you to critically evaluate whether what you read or hear is true, whether it is detecting fake websites, fake emails, fake Amazon reviews, or simply fact-checking information you come across online.
The ability to distinguish fake news from real news is an important skill that needs to be honed. As a member of our global community, you are responsible for making informed judgments, especially about the information you come across on social media.
We’ll take a look at some of the best fact-checking sites to combat misinformation, with a focus on evidence-based and science-driven sites so you can be sure of the truthfulness of the information you read and transmit.
1. FactCheck.org
The Annenberg Center for Public Policy project at the University of Pennsylvania has been around for a long time and has always enjoyed a reputation for refuting false claims, mainly those made by US politicians. Although FactCheck focuses on political statements, it is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization that monitors politicians’ speeches, television advertisements, and news releases to keep them honest. Using the best fact-checking sites will help you engage in polite discussion and form an informed opinion.
Facebook’s FactCheck initiative not only monitors the honesty of American politicians, but also aims to refute false information spread on the social network. You can also use the Viral Spiral FactCheck or ask your questions.
2. SciCheck.org
Although SciCheck is part of FactCheck.org, it deserves its own entry on this list. Since 2015, SciCheck has refuted false or misleading scientific claims. SciCheck includes a project in English and Spanish to verify information about Covid-19 and vaccines. If you hear a scientific statement that makes you scratch your head, head to SciCheck to see if it’s true.
3. FlackCheck.org
FlackCheck is a companion site to FactCheck.org. It is mainly focused on political literacy, but it can also help you learn how to spot logical errors in arguments in general. Of course, if you find a mistake in someone’s argument, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all the statements they make are completely false. However, it may give you some insight into the ethics of the person or institution making such claims.
4. MediaBiasFactCheck.com
Fact checking is not a one-off event. Multiple levels of view are required for this to work. Enter Media Bias / Fact Check (MBFC). While the ad-riddled website design is not credible, it is one of the best fact-checking sites to determine media bias. (MBFC does its best to inform website visitors that it has no control over which ads are displayed, but the fact remains: there are a lot of them.)
This is how MBFC works. Enter the title or URL of the media into the search bar and MBFC will tell you if the source is questionable or to what extent it has been proven to be offset to the left, right, center, right, or left. Sources can also be categorized as “conspiracies / pseudoscience” if they sometimes publish unverifiable information or are not supported by evidence or “pro-science” if they follow a scientific method and are based on fact.
In addition to listing the third-party fact-checking extensions that it likes, MBFC also offers its own official media bias fact-checking extension for Chrome and Firefox.
5. ReportersLab.org
Sorry, while we have a little meta here . In the Duke University Reporters Lab, you’ll find a database of fact-checking sites, as well as a set of tools to help you and other fact-checkingers … well, fact check. The Reporters Lab is located at the Sanford School of Public Policy. It will give you an insight into the state of fact-checking in the world and innovations that you can look forward to. The interactive map is helpful if you are looking for local sources for fact checking.
6. Lead Stories
Lead Stories is a site powered by the Trendolizer engine that shows in real time which stories, images and videos are going viral at that very moment. Then he checks the facts for deception. The site is one of Facebook’s partners in its efforts to combat social media disinformation. He is also a member of the #CoronavirusFacts alliance.
7. BBC Reality Check
BBC Reality Check is the fact-checking arm of the British Broadcasting Company (BBC). Created in 2017, the BBC Reality Check team was assembled to check facts and disprove fake news that was trying to pass off as real. It scans for news that has been flagged as misleading or false on sites like Facebook and posts articles tagged with the Reality Check category. While you cannot search solely in the Reality Check section, if you spend some time reading the articles, it will be easier for you to find out the truth.
8. TruthOrFiction.com
Truth or Fiction is one of the best fact-checking sites where you can get information about fake news and viral content that you may come across online or via email. The site is simple. Scroll through the endless list of requirements and select the one you are interested in for more information. Each article includes a claim, a rating, and a report detailing the claim and why it might be false or misleading.
9. NewsVerifier.Africa
Billed as Africa’s watchdog for fact-checking, News Verifier Africa (N-VA) is a non-profit organization formed in 2020 to fight Covid-19 disinformation. The people behind N-VA are concerned that “the trend of disinformation has increased public distrust of the media and government,” so they created a website to do something about it.
Site visitors can apply for fact-checking, listen to the N-VA podcast, or view applications.
10. Resources for Going Straight to the Source
Journalists often report articles published in scientific journals. Although the role of journalism is to synthesize complex ideas and detailed information for the general public. Sometimes you may need to go straight to the source. Unfortunately, scientific journals usually have paid access, but a few workarounds will help you find these articles for free.
Registering for an account at jstor.org will give you free online reading access to 100 articles per month. And be sure to check if your local library has a JSTOR account. In this case, you will be able to access more articles. Google Scholar allows you to search articles by author, title, date, and publication. Contact the author directly. Scientists are just humans. If you email them directly and ask for a copy of a magazine article they wrote. They will most likely send it to you!
Opinions influence actions. When you choose to check information that you read on the Internet or hear from another person. You are helping to reduce the cognitive biases inherent in each of us. Fact checking helps us remain skeptical and ultimately increases our chances of survival based on what is proven. Go ahead and check!
The best fact-checking sites to deal with misinformation
The best fact-checking sites to deal with misinformation
fact checking news networks