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Bartın University
Management and Organization Department
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TIPS FOR DETECTING DISINFORMATION

Disinformation refers to the intentional spread of false information with the aim of misleading.

  1. Check Who the Author Is
    Verify if the author is a real person. Check the author's profile through sources like Google, LinkedIn, and social media accounts.
  2. Look for Supporting Sources/Evidence
    Examine if there is evidence supporting the claims made in the news. Pay attention to sources that can verify the claims.
  3. Are There Language and Writing Errors?
    Serious news sources usually adhere to high standards of language and writing.
    Obvious language and writing errors suggest the author or site is unreliable and does not adhere to editorial standards.
  4. Check the Source
    Verify the reliability of the shared information. Examine the "About Us" section of the site to check its editorial standards and independence.
  5. Read the Headlines Carefully
    Headlines are sometimes written to create sensationalism.
    Read the entire article to understand the context beyond the headline.
  6. Check the Photos and Perform Reverse Searches
    Photos used in shared posts can be manipulated.
    Use tools like Google Reverse Image Search to check the authenticity of photos.
  7. Examine the Address and Extensions
    Check the security of the website's URL; extensions like "gov" or "edu" are more reliable.
    Be cautious of URLs with misspelled extensions like "gov.co" or "com.co".
  8. Check the Date
    Verify the date when the news was shared and its timeliness.
    Sometimes old news is reshared, which does not mean the event is occurring again.
  9. Refer to Official Sources
    Follow official sources for statements during crises and significant developments.
  10. Is It Irony or Satire?
    Some content may be produced for irony or satire.
    Distinguish between content that is real and that which is created for humor or satire.
  11. Check Your Biases
    Everyone has biases. Think about why you like or dislike the news.
    Share only if you are sure the information is accurate and unbiased.
  12. If It Appeals to Emotions, Be Careful
    If the content makes you angry, sad, or highly emotional, be cautious and question why it evokes those feelings.
    It could be manipulative propaganda or intentionally crafted to evoke emotions.

QUESTION WHAT YOU READ AND DO NOT SHARE ANYTHING IF YOU ARE NOT SURE OF ITS ACCURACY!

Republic of Turkey Directorate of Communications
Disinformation Combat Center