As we approach the midterm elections, we want to remind you that misinformation can spread fast, especially online. Misinformation can cause plenty of damage—spreading lies about Native people, false histories, and perpetuating stereotypes. That’s why it’s important to recognize misleading information before sharing it. Having the right tools helps protect our narratives and ensure our communities get the truth. Here’s how to spot fake news and protect the truth.
Types of bad information include:
- Misinformation: False or inaccurate information shared without intent to harm, such as sharing an old photo, thinking it is from a recent event.
- Disinformation: False information deliberately created and spread with the intent of doing harm, such as sharing fake videos with ballots being destroyed.
- Malinformation: True information manipulated or shared out of context to cause harm, such as using real data out of context to mislead readers.
Here’s a way we can all be better community members. Take a few moments to SIFT your information! Using this method stops the spread of misinformation in its tracks.
SIFT
Stop!
Always pause before sharing and do not react immediately. Ask yourself: Do I know this source? Is it verified or trustworthy?
Investigate the Source.
Do you know who is behind the information? What is their expertise or agenda? Do you immediately recognize the website, author, or outlet?
If the poster is on social media, check out the poster’s profile. Is it a social media account with few followers, little personal data, and only political posts? It could be a troll, paid by international organizations with malintent.
Do a quick Google search on the source if it is a news outlet to determine it is credible and professional without a political bent. Reliable news will include links to its sources. Links will source back to information directly from government entities, official reports, or direct statements. If a story makes big claims without evidence or only links back to its own articles, you should question the veracity of the information.
Find Better Coverage.
Leave the original reading site and attempt to verify the source with multiple sources. What do other trusted sources say about the source? Do reputable outlets report the same thing?
Fake news sites will often use dramatic and emotional headlines and captions to get reactions, views, and shares. If a headline feels shocking or extreme, be wary.
Also, make sure you know your biases. It’s easy to believe things that align with our views. Real journalism presents multiple perspectives. One-sided reporting or sources that push a single agenda and try to convince you of agreeing with their point of view are not to be trusted.
Do a last fact-check if something seems off at a site like Snopes, FactCheck.org, and PolitiFact. These sites are nonpartisan and dedicated to the unbiased truth.
Trace the Content to Its Original Context.
Is the quote or data taken out of context? Where did it come from originally?
Does the news have manipulated images or videos included? Remember, in today’s day and age, photos and videos can be edited, taken out of context, and can be generated by AI. These images and videos will tend to have a “red herring,” something that looks out of place, unusual, or unrealistic. Sometimes images, videos and graphics, can even be years old and recycled to push a certain narrative. Use Google Reverse Image Search to trace an image.
Check the article’s date, which should always be at the top of the article with the author’s name. If an article does not have a date or an author listed, it is likely fake news.
Here’s Where to Find Reliable Information to Share
Instead of relying on social media posts or secondhand accounts, check these trusted places for primary source information.
- C-SPAN
- Live feed footage and coverage of government proceedings, hearings, and speeches
- Government websites
- Government websites are reliable sources for laws, policies, and official statements.
- Disclosure: Some government websites have been instructed to remove or alter information on their sites, so we encourage readers to verify information they find on any government websites with other trusted primary sources.
- Congress.gov for legislation and voting records.
- Data.gov for government datasets and reports
- Verified tribal government websites are also trusted sources
- Library of Congress
- Loc.gov has historical documents, treaties, and primary source records
- Academic and research institutions
- Universities, research centers, and peer-reviewed studies provide evidence-based information
- Google Scholar
- Native American Rights Fund (NARF) for legals cases and policy issues
- News sources
- Associated Press
- Straight facts and minimal bias
- Reuters
- Global news outlet with a focus on accuracy
- BBC news
- International perspective, less influenced by US political divides
- AFP
- Agence France-Presse is a French international news agency that provides verified information on global news
- Indian Country Today
- One of the leading Indigenous-run news organization
- Native News Online
- Covers Indigenous policy culture and community stories
- Lakota Times
- Covers local and national stories affecting Indian Country
- Fact checking organizations
