How to Identify Fake News as a Web Publisher

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used in place of legal advice. If your brand has or is experiencing legal issues due to fake news or misinformation, consult a lawyer.

Now, more than ever, fact-checking is increasingly important because fake news is becoming commonplace, and it can be challenging to tell the difference between it and authentic information.

Fake news or misinformation can also have a substantial impact on web publishers and brands. It could result in brand misinformation that lowers credibility, creates a disconnect with readers, and impacts the overall brand image and reputation. 

Let’s take a closer look at how to spot fake news, how to deal with brand misinformation, and what steps to take to avoid it.

What Is Fake News and How Does It Affect Web Publishing?

What is fake news? Fake news is false information (that facts can’t back up), is typically associated with news reports, and may be designed to mislead or misinform an audience. 

The University of Michigan defines fake news as “news stories that are false: the story itself is fabricated, with no verifiable facts, sources or quotes.” 

Examples of fake news can range from made-up stories (presented as fact) to distorted reporting. Fake news can be difficult to identify and can impact news outlets, brands, and web publishers, which is why it’s essential to cultivate excellent media literacy skills. 

It’s also beneficial to use fact-checking tools to highlight information that is potentially factually incorrect and requires further verification. 

In the age of AI, AI can also sometimes result in issues when it produces AI hallucinations or false facts. As a result, when incorporating AI into content, it’s essential to fact-check and review information carefully.

Telltale Fake News Signs to Watch for

How do you identify fake news? There are a few telltale signs to watch for and some steps you can take, including: 

• Checking the reputation and credibility of the site and domain name (learn more about fact-checking websites). Is it an actual news site, or does it mimic one with very few verifiable news stories? 
• Who is the author of the piece? What previous work have they done? Fake news is often started and circulated by fake “authors” with surprisingly non-existent contact information. 
• Are other reputable and trusted news outlets reporting the same story? A lack of coverage from other sources could mean it’s misinformation. 
• Does the article include primary or official sources or statements? Reputable news outlets will cite their source, even if noting that the source is anonymous. 
• Is the content designed to appeal to your emotions? Does it read as sensationalist or like clickbait? 

Identifying Fake News Images and Video Created With AI

If you’ve come across a troubling image promoting fake news that you think may be AI-generated, there are a few ways to uncover the truth. 

For all its advances, AI still can’t quite grasp every nuance of art and design. For example, an image may show awkward lighting, people posing in unnatural ways, or even figures with odd features like more than five fingers. 

AI video creation is still rapidly developing. On the positive side, it can boost creativity and improve workflow.

However, if you’re looking to spot fake news videos made with AI, keep an eye out for an unnatural-looking human walk or body language and strange lighting that doesn’t fit with the time of day.

How to Fact-Check Information as a Web Publisher

As a web publisher, verifying the facts before you hit publish is essential. Your readers expect it, and their trust in you is built around it. 

At the same time, verifying facts manually can be a tedious and time-consuming job. Using a fact-checker can help streamline the process.

How to Use a Fact Checker

You already know that fact-checking is important, but how can AI help? 

Originality.ai’s Fact Checker uses an internally built AI to rapidly verify facts and help avoid potential problems like AI hallucinations.

What’s more, Originality.ai’s Automated Fact Checker isn’t limited to events that happened before September 2021, like some AI tools. 

The tool will check for the veracity of a given piece of information and generate a report for each fact that details if it’s potentially true or false, provides context, and links to sources.

For web publishers, an automated, AI-based fact-checker can be a true game-changer. It can help you publish with integrity and take the extra steps needed to review sources so that your users get valuable information they can trust. 

Checking for AI Website Content

Once your automated fact check is complete, it’s also a good idea to scan your website for AI content. 

Scanning a website for AI content using a tool like Originality.ai’s AI Content Website Scanner can identify potential AI content with a high degree of accuracy so that you can take steps to edit or update it accordingly (get further insight into AI detection accuracy).

Reviewing AI content can reduce the risk of AI hallucinations appearing on your website, so you can publish with confidence.

Creating a Content Policy to Guard Against Misinformation

As a web publisher, having a solid content policy can help reduce the risk of misinformation and fake news before it occurs by ensuring that contributors adhere to quality standards. 

Here are a few of the best tips for creating such a policy: 

• Set clear editorial standards — Make sure that all sources are properly cited and linked. Create a list of approved sources, and make sure that articles are automatically fact-checked before publication. 
• Create a detailed editorial policy — Be open and clear about your editorial process (include guidelines around AI use in the writing contract). Develop a clear process for handling corrections and fixing misinformation whenever and wherever you find it.
• Take advantage of technology — Use fact-checking tools like Originality.ai’s Automated Fact Checker, plagiarism scanner, and AI website scanner to maintain the originality of your content and prevent misinformation from spreading. 
• Include your team — Include detailed author bios and publish your content policy and editorial standards on your website. Keep your team informed about new trends in fake news and misinformation so that they stay aware. 
• Join industry networks — Become a part of trusted industry networks, groups or organizations that promote high journalistic and ethical standards. 

Final Thoughts

By following best practices, verifying facts before publication, updating your content policy, and using a fact-checker to optimize your workflow, you can extinguish fake news before it gains a foothold to uphold publishing integrity and build authority as an industry leader.