WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FAKE NEWS? TABLOIDS? THE ONION? FACEBOOK POSTS? HERE IS ARE SOME CATEGORIES DEFINED BY PROFESSOR MELISSA ZIMDARS OF MERRIMACK COLLEGE
CATEGORY 1: Fake, false, or regularly misleading websites that are shared on Facebook and social media. Some of these websites may rely on “outrage” by using distorted headlines and decontextualized or dubious information in order to generate likes, shares, and profits.
CATEGORY 2: Websites that may circulate misleading and/or potentially unreliable information
CATEGORY 3: Websites which sometimes use clickbait-y headlines and social media descriptions
CATEGORY 4: Satire/comedy sites, which can offer important critical commentary on politics and society, but have the potential to be shared as actual/literal news
Zimdars created a definitive list of fake news sites, information about how to spot fake news, and more tips, in a public Google Doc. Click here to see it.
