How to spot mis/dis/malinformation
Mis/dis/malinformation often spreads through social media platforms and messaging apps. While it has always existed, digital communication makes it easier and faster to reach large audiences.
New technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can also create highly convincing but false content. This can make it harder to distinguish fact from fiction.
Use the 'FIRST' approach
When reviewing content online, think:
- Fabrication: has anything been altered, edited or completely made up?
- Identity: is the source genuine, or is it impersonating a trusted organisation or person?
- Rhetoric: does it use emotional, exaggerated or inflammatory language?
- Symbolism: is the content using images, data or events to push an unrelated message?
- Technology: has technology such as AI or bots been used to mislead?
You should also look out for:
- headlines that don’t match the content
- genuine information shared with misleading context
- content designed as satire or parody that could be mistaken as real
- edited images, videos or statistics
- stories that seem too good (or too shocking) to be true
Simple checks you can do
- compare information with trusted news sources
- check the author and their credibility
- look closely at web addresses and account names
- read beyond the headline
- be cautious of sponsored or promotional content
- do not let personal beliefs override evidence