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Fact Checking Online News and Social Media: Extension Guide G-600

Writer's picture: Pamela MartinezPamela Martinez

Our recently published Extension guide offers basic strategies to help news and social media consumers check the reliability of information before passing it on. The Guide G-600: “Fact Checking Online News and Social Media” may serve as a resource to help build media literacy skills with youth and older adults as their online presence continues to grow.



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Build your media literacy

Unfortunately, it has become easier to unintentionally share information that did not come from a reliable source. This information is called fake news, misinformation, or disinformation. No matter the topic, use a reliable source that you recognize. When passing knowledge onto others, they may place trust in the information because it came from you.



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Look for reliable sources

The authors guide you through basic strategies on how to gather reliable information. These areas include:


  • Looking for reliable sources.

  • What sources to trust?

  • How to build your media literacy

  • Front stage and back stage news

  • How to talk to kids about fake news

  • What are platforms doing to reduce the spread of fake news on social media?

  • What about news media bias?


To view it online or to download a copy, visit the links below.





Written by Pamela Martinez Ed.D., Assistant Professor & Extension Learning Technology Specialist

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