Misinformation, Disinformation, and Fact-Checking

This is the difficult part of being a smart consumer of news. We all like to read things that validate our own beliefs. However, our biases can keep us from taking a hard look at false or misleading news if it confirms what we already think. Here are some strategies to try moving beyond our biases:

• Work on becoming aware of your own biases. We don't usually talk about our own biases, but we all have them. Awareness of our biases allows us to avoid letting false or misleading sources of information manipulate us.
• When faced with a news story or argument that you automatically disagree with, try checking to see if it is false or misleading. If it seems to be a reliable source, try to give that story or argument the most benefit of the doubt that you can.

​​You don't have to agree with everything that you read, but sometimes making the best case you can for a perspective or argument that conflicts with your own beliefs and perceptions will help you make your own arguments better.