Are You Getting The FULL STORY?
Are You Getting the Full Story? Here’s How to Tell If the Info You Read Is Actually Reliable
In a world of clickbait, viral headlines, and AI-generated content, it’s harder than ever to know who to trust. But you don’t need a journalism degree to spot sketchy info. Here’s a quick guide—backed by media literacy experts—on how to separate facts from fluff 👇
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🔍 1. Who's Behind the Info?
Ask: Is the source clearly identified?
If the article doesn’t tell you who’s providing the information—or it just quotes “a source close to the matter”—👀 red flag.
> ✅ Example of a credible source: CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen on new COVID trends.
❌ Shaky: “One insider claims...”
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🎓 2. What Would This Source Know?
Ask: Does this person have actual expertise?
A nutritionist talking about diet? Solid. A celebrity selling detox tea? Not so much.
> ✅ Trust: Registered dietitian with clinical experience.
❌ Skip: Influencer with no credentials pushing a product.
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⏰ 3. When Did They Learn This Info?
Fresh facts matter. A 2010 opinion on climate change doesn’t match a 2025 IPCC report.
> ✅ Current = Credible.
❌ Outdated = Misleading.
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📍 4. Where Did They Get It?
Look for first-hand knowledge, solid education, or on-the-ground reporting.
> 🎓 Degrees in the field? ✔️
🧪 Direct experience or eyewitness? ✔️
💬 "I heard it from a friend of a friend..."? Nope.
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🧩 5. Why Use This Source?
Does the source fill in a gap? Bring in rare expertise? Or are they just… talking?
> Great sources teach you something you didn’t know you needed to know.
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🔎 6. Is the Reporting Transparent?
Can you track where the info came from? Are sources named? Linked? Or is it a fog of vagueness?
> Good reporting = full names, quotes, dates, links.
Bad reporting = mystery voices and sketchy claims.
📁 7. Can It Be Verified?
Look for backup: other reports, government records, databases. One person's story isn’t proof—it’s a start.
#Newsbreak #CommunityPost
