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Fighting Misinformation: 8 Questions to ask before sharing information

Kinyarwanda version
 
Misinformation is false or inaccurate information that is published or shared with the deliberate intention to deceive and/or mislead. With so much information being shared online, users can mistakenly share misinformation without first analysing whether it is factual.
 
Malicious actors use misinformation to power phishing scams and deliver malware to unsuspecting users. With these risks being prevalent, users should be equipped with the knowledge of how to identify a misleading story.
 
Here are some important questions you should ask yourself before sharing any information you find online.  
 
1. Have you considered the source?
Click away from the story or post and take time to investigate the source. If it is a website or a link to a website that is shared, study its mission to understand the intentions of the organization and whether they are reputable. Also look for contact info, as a lack of contact options indicates an untrustworthy site.
 
An untrustworthy website may also:
  • lack https encryption
  • have an unusual URL address
  • feature grammatical errors or spelling mistakes
  • have lots of ads or pop-ups
 
2. Have you read the whole story?
In some cases, the motive behind misinformation lies in gaining clicks through deceptive headlines which simply aim to grab your attention. Ensure you read the whole story to determine whether the headline matches the story and the information is evidenced with supporting sources.
 
3. Have you checked out the author?
Take time to research the credibility of the author, examine whether:
 
  • They are employed by a reputable news source
  • They are respected within their field (use a search engine)
  • They have a regularly updated website and other functioning contact methods
  • They would have reason to be biased
 
4. Have you found supporting sources?
Trustworthy information will cite other articles or sources that reveal more about the information presented. If the news story you are reading lacks references, check to see if the same information is being reported on other reputable sources. If not, this may indicate unreliable information.
 
5. Have you checked the date the information was published?
Old content is likely to be irrelevant to current events. Always check the date of the content to ensure the information is not simply an older version of events.
 
6. Have you checked the content isn’t a joke?
If the content seems too shocking, it is possible the material is comedic. Ensure the site isn’t intentional presenting shocking information as a means of light-hearted entertainment.
 
7. Have you checked your biases?
We may believe in certain information due to our own opinions on the subject. It is important to maintain a neutral mindset when evaluating the validity of news, so that you assess the facts objectively and don’t let your views affect your assessment of the information.
 
8. Have you asked the subject matter experts?
Those who are more knowledgeable than you will be able to better judge the validity of information due to their own expertise and understanding of the field. Ensure that these experts are credible and have legitimate knowledge that can help you discern a misleading story.  

19 May 2022

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