How to check if a story or a fact is true?

Target group: Amateur writers/Bloggers

There are many news, information and stories flying around on the internet. Some are true, some are not and some are in the middle - not totally wrong and not totally correct.

With this easy steps you can identify false information and avoid to make certain mistakes if you write an article yourself.

Step 1: Look at the time stamp

  • When was the information or an article published?
  • When and where was a statement made?
  • Are there several independent primary sources providing the same information at this time?

Step 2: Is there consistency?

  • Is the story logical and content consistent throughout the article?
  • Does the headline fit to the story?
  • Are there any correction? Has the story been modified since first publication?

Step 3: Is the source itself trustworthy?

  • Is the media outlet known to be serious? (Is it a satirical journal or is the outlet known for fake news?)
  • Does an article fit to the authors previous style of writing? What else has she/he published? Might he be biased?
  • Who is the primary source (references): Is the person an eyewitness, expert, politician, scholar, etc.? Was the information published by an institution, like the government, a NGO, IO or a company?
    • What is the motivation to publish something? Who is behind the person/organization? Who gives the money?

Step 4: Methods used by the source

  • Is it clear how the author got the information?
  • Are there any kinds of data used? How were the information collected? See: http://www.statisticshowto.com/data-collection-methods/
  • How has the information been processed?
  • What kind of limitations could be there?

After the verification of sources there are still traps that could make you to appear not trustworthy.

Step 5: Is there any important information missing?

  • Are all sides represented?
  • Can you talk to any (reliable) experts to get more information about the topic and make your article more credible? → expert database (www.etis.ee)

Step 6: Take a step back

Ask yourself what is my bias? Is there anything I have not considered yet because of my bias?

Step 7: Publish

  • Is my article easy to understand?
  • Do I have references? Is everything transparent?

Step 8: Engage with your readers!

To check pictures or videos that might be an useful tool for you: Visual verification guide

Use fact-check websites:Database