FYSS: Fake News: Don't Fall for It

Use the activities and resources below to evaluate information sources and identify reliable, fact-based news.

Consider the Source

Explore the Ad Fontes Interactive Media Bias Chart ↗  

Activity #1: Consider the Source

Look at the list of headlines and sources below. Which are fact-based news and which are fake news?

  1. United Airlines Passenger Given Parachute and Ordered to Leave Plane Mid-Flight
    Source: Real News Right Now ↗  
  2. Charlottesville Killer Was Hillary Supporter, Funded by Soros
    Source: YourNewsWire.com ↗  
  3. Singer Celine Dion Says: "I Can't Even Look At An American Flag Any More, I Hate This Country." Do You Support Her?
    Source: USADailyNewsPosts.com
  4. South Korea Plans 'Decapitation Unit' to Try to Scare North's Leaders
    Source: New York Times ↗  
  5. Study: Majority of Americans Fantasize About Other Countries During National Anthem
    Source: The Onion ↗  
  6. Minnesota University Teaches Philosophy Through Harry Potter
    Source: Associated Press ↗  

Fact Checking

Great sites to check for accuracy:

FactCheck.org ↗  

FlackCheck.org ↗  

Snopes ↗  

Lead Stories ↗  

PolitiFact ↗  

Washington Post Fact Checker ↗  

Activity #2: It's Just Not That Hard to Be Accurate

Put these headlines into a search engine. How long does it take you to determine the accuracy? Which are true and which are false?

  1. Marilyn Manson Dies from Injuries Sustained during Show | BREAKING NEWS
  2. Man Arrested After Selling Farts in Jars Without a Vending License
  3. Eating Alligator in New Orleans Could Help Save the Wetlands of Louisiana
  4. Five-foot long tapeworm came "wiggling out" of man's body after he ate sushi

Activity #3: Take the Factitious News Quiz

Play the Factitious News Quiz ↗