Vigilance is more than just watching your back, it requires making active choices to protect yourself and your loved ones. A key component of remaining vigilant and keeping safe is being cognisant of the validity and reliability of the information you consume. In a world of headlines, fake news is rampant and ultimately damaging.
Crime news and statistics are not exempt from the scourge of fake news. Incorrect or outdated stats, story inconsistencies, and mere rumours are enough to send a community into a state of panic. This, in turn, creates a nervous atmosphere and can impact effective security measures.
While there is no stopping fake news, there are ways that you can identify unreliable sources. Based on an IOL article, here are six signs you’re reading fake news:
- A strange source. Be wary of unfamiliar URLs and platforms.
- You can only access the information with a specific link or post.
- No other platforms or news sources are covering the topic.
- The images are strange.
- The story is too extraordinary.
- The headline and the content don’t match.
Spottem has a dedicated news section that is regularly updated with the latest, most reliable headlines. We make sure to only use information from reputable sources, which include South Africa’s most revered publications, notably News24. We also ensure that our own, unique articles are informed by accurate information. All of our articles will include hyperlinks to our sources, which shows our integrity and our dedication to providing all South Africans with a reliable, useful app.
So, while you have eagle eyes for your surroundings, make sure you cast that same sight on your news sources. Here are ten news sites to avoid.
