Online Verification Skills — Video 4: Look for Trusted Work

Summary

The video script emphasizes the importance of developing fact-checking habits for competent web readers. It advises investigating the source of information, seeking original reporting, and building a library of trusted sources to lean on. The script uses the example of the Canada Child Benefit and how fact-checking sites like Snopes provide a starting point for verification. It also encourages 'trading up' to higher quality sources and demonstrates how to find reliable news using search techniques, stressing the value of professional reporting in fact-checking.

Takeaways

• 🕵️‍♂️ Investigate the source: Competent web readers always check the credibility of a source, especially when encountering unfamiliar websites or organizations.
• 🔍 Go to the original article: To avoid misinformation, it's important to find and read the original reporting rather than relying on re-reporting or secondary sources.
• 📚 Build a library of trusted sources: Fact-checkers develop a collection of reliable sources that they can rely on for verification, saving time and effort.
• 🤔 Evaluate fact-checking claims: Even if a fact-checking site labels a claim as misleading, it's crucial to consider the evidence and reasoning behind their conclusion.
• 📝 Fact-checking involves thorough work: Fact-checkers perform extensive research, including contacting relevant authorities and experts to verify claims.
• 🔑 Choose quality fact-checking sites: It's essential to select fact-checking sources that are reputable and have a history of accurate verification, like Snopes.
• 👮‍♂️ Trust in professional reporting: Traditional news outlets are often reliable because professional reporters are trained in fact-checking and are expected to verify their stories.
• 🛍️ Trade up to higher quality sources: Instead of relying on the first source found, seek out and use higher quality, more reliable sources for information.
• 🔎 Use search engines effectively: Utilize search engines to find coverage of a story from trusted sources, which can be prioritized by including their names in the search query.
• ❄️ Example of 'trading up': The script provides an example of verifying a story about snow in the Sahara by looking for reports from reputable sources like NPR, CNN, and Forbes.
• 🛡️ Fact-checking as a preventive measure: By employing these fact-checking techniques before engaging with content, you can ensure that your time is spent on credible stories and avoid being misled.

Q & A

What are the two habits of competent web readers mentioned in the script?

The two habits are investigating the source, especially when it is unfamiliar, and going back to the original article that did the primary work and talked to experts and witnesses.

Why is it important to build a fact-checking habit over time?

Building a fact-checking habit helps you accumulate a library of trusted sources, which can save you the effort of verifying information yourself, as these sources have already done the verification work for you.

What is an example of a site that can be used for fact-checking?

FactsCan is mentioned as an example of a site that can be used for fact-checking.

What was the claim made by FactsCan about the Canada Child Benefit that was considered misleading?

FactsCan claimed that the Canada Child Benefit was misleading because it was predicted to lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty, but the actual effect was not yet confirmed.

What does the script suggest as a way to start understanding a claim or story?

The script suggests skimming through a fact-checking article to see the work done by the fact-checkers, such as emails to relevant authorities and interviews with experts, as a starting point for understanding a claim or story.

Which fact-checking site is mentioned as a go-to source in the script?

Snopes is mentioned as a go-to source for fact-checking due to its long-standing reputation in the business.

Why should one not rely solely on a source that initially comes to them?

One should not rely solely on the initial source because it may not be of high quality or may not have done thorough verification. Fact-checkers often 'trade up' to a higher quality source for more reliable information.

What is the term used in the script for seeking out higher quality sources instead of relying on the initial source?

The term used for this practice is 'trading up'.

How can one find coverage from trusted sources online?

One can use a search engine like Google, search for the topic, and then hit the news tab to find well-researched stories from trusted sources.

What is a simple way to prioritize a favorite fact-checking site or publication in search results?

You can prioritize a favorite site by typing the name of the site after the search term, which will float that site to the top of the search results.

What is the main point of the script regarding fact-checking and source evaluation on the web?

The main point is that by investigating sources, going to the original reporting, and looking at trusted work before investing time in reading or watching content, one can ensure they are engaging with quality stories and avoid being misled.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Investigating Sources and Fact-Checking Habits

This paragraph discusses the importance of investigating the source of information, especially when encountering unfamiliar websites or organizations. It emphasizes the need to trace back to the original article that conducted the research and spoke to experts or witnesses, rather than relying on re-reported information. The speaker introduces the concept of building a library of trusted sources to streamline the fact-checking process. An example is given where a site called FactsCan claims about the Canada Child Benefit, and the importance of the depth of work done by fact-checkers is highlighted. The paragraph concludes by advocating for the use of quality fact-checking sites like Snopes and the value of professional reporters in verifying news.

Keywords

💡Competent web readers

Competent web readers are individuals who possess the skills to critically evaluate online content. In the video, this term is used to describe people who investigate the source of information, particularly when encountering unfamiliar websites or organizations. They are portrayed as those who seek out original reporting rather than relying on re-reported content, which is central to the theme of discerning reliable information on the web.

💡Source investigation

Source investigation refers to the practice of examining the origin and credibility of a piece of information or a website. The video emphasizes the importance of this practice for competent web readers, as it helps in determining the trustworthiness of the content. For instance, the script mentions that readers should investigate the source, especially when it is unfamiliar, which is crucial for fact-checking and discerning accurate information.

💡Original reporting

Original reporting is the initial coverage of a news story or event by a journalist or news organization. The video script encourages viewers to追溯 to the original article that conducted the primary research and interviews, rather than relying on secondary or tertiary re-reporting, which may not accurately represent the original findings. This concept is key to the video's message on ensuring the accuracy and reliability of information.

💡Fact checking

Fact checking is the process of verifying the accuracy of claims or statements. The video discusses building a fact-checking habit and relying on trusted sources that have already done the verification work. An example given in the script is the site FactsCan's claim about the Canada Child Benefit, which was fact-checked to determine if it was misleading, illustrating the role of fact checking in maintaining the integrity of information.

💡Trusted sources

Trusted sources are entities or publications that are recognized for their reliability and accuracy in reporting. The video suggests that over time, a fact checker builds a library of such sources. These sources are valuable because they perform the important work of verification, as illustrated by the script's mention of Snopes, a long-standing fact-checking website, as a go-to source.

💡Verification

Verification in the context of the video refers to the act of confirming the truth or accuracy of information. It is a critical component of fact checking and is what trusted sources are expected to perform. The script mentions that fact checkers, like those at Snopes, do this work of verification, which is essential for establishing the credibility of the information presented.

💡Professional reporters

Professional reporters are individuals who are trained in journalistic practices, including fact checking. The video notes that these reporters are expected to fact-check the stories they write, which is why looking for true news sources is important. The script uses the example of professional reporters to highlight the value of traditional news outlets in the process of verifying information.

💡Trading up

Trading up is a term used in the video to describe the practice of seeking out higher quality or more reliable sources of information. It is illustrated through the example of finding a story about snow in the Sahara from an untrustworthy source and then searching for coverage from a trusted source, such as NPR, CNN, or Forbes, to confirm the event's occurrence.

💡Search optimization

Search optimization refers to the techniques used to improve the visibility of a website or content in search engine results. In the video, this concept is applied to finding reliable information by suggesting that users can prioritize certain fact-checking sites or publications in their search results by including the site's name in their search query, as demonstrated with the example of searching for 'Snopes snow in the Sahara'.

💡Investing time

Investing time in the context of the video means spending time on researching and verifying information before consuming it. The script encourages viewers to invest their time in finding better stories and higher quality sources, rather than accepting the first story that comes to them. This concept is tied to the overall theme of the video, which is about being discerning and critical when consuming information on the web.

💡Fact checking skills

Fact checking skills are the abilities and techniques used to verify the accuracy of information. The video concludes by emphasizing these skills as essential for better performance on the web. It suggests that by investigating sources, going to the original source of reporting, and looking at trusted work, viewers can improve their ability to discern reliable information, which is the core message of the video.

Highlights

Investigating the source is crucial, especially for unfamiliar websites or organizations.

Competent web readers seek out the original article to verify information rather than relying on re-reporting.

Fact-checking habits can lead to a library of trusted sources for verification.

FactsCan's claim about the Canada Child Benefit's impact on child poverty was deemed misleading due to lack of confirmation.

Fact checking provides more than a ruling; it includes the verification process and sources consulted.

Snopes is highlighted as a quality fact-checking source with a long-standing reputation.

Trust in fact-checking sources is based on their verification work, not agreement with personal views.

Traditional news outlets are still valuable for fact-checking due to professional reporters' training in this area.

Good fact-checkers compile a list of reliable sources to improve the quality of information they use.

The concept of 'trading up' to higher quality sources is introduced as a strategy for fact-checking.

Demonstration of using Google search to find coverage from trusted sources, such as NPR, CNN, and Forbes.

Using a favorite fact-checking site in a Google search can prioritize its results, as shown with Snopes.

Snopes confirms snow in the Sahara, but clarifies that it's not as rare as commonly thought.

The importance of not being limited to the initial story and seeking out better, more reliable information online.

Fact-checking skills can prevent being fooled and ensure time is invested in credible stories.

The transcript concludes with a summary of the key fact-checking techniques and their benefits.

Transcripts

So, we’ve gone over two habits of competent web readers.

First, they investigate the source, especially when the website or organization they land

on is unfamiliar to them.

Second, they don’t simply read the re-reporting of the re-reporting of the original reporting,

they get back to the original article that did the work, that talked to the experts,

that talked to the witnesses.

But, for lots of stories, claims, or events, you don’t even have to do that because if

you’re a fact checker, and if you build a fact checking habit, over time, you’ll

build up a library of trusted sources that you use.

And if they have done the verification work for you, you can lean on them.

Let me give you an example.

A site called FactsCan recently called to claim that the Canada Child Benefit have lifted

hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty, they called it misleading.

Their reasoning, the benefit was predicted to have that affect, but we don’t know yet

whether it did.

Now, is that really misleading?

Maybe, maybe not.

But fact checking gives you a lot more than a ruling.

If you skim down this article and you can see the immense amount of work they pulled

together, they emailed the Ministry of Family, they talked to a economist.

Maybe you have a slightly different conclusion, but even if you disagree this is a great starting

point for that question.

You might want to make sure that you choose fact checking sites that are quality.

My particular go to source is Snopes, which has been in business the longest.

But the reason why you trust these sources is not that they agree with you, but that

they do this important work of verification.

Now it may seem weird that you should be relying on traditional news outfits in a course that’s

largely about the web.

But, looking for true news sources is important mostly because professional reporters are

taught fact checking as part of their work and they’re expected to do it on the stories

that they write.

Good fact checkers build this list in their head of reliable sources.

Rather than relying on the source that initially comes to them, they go out and they fetch

a higher quality source.

I call this trading up, we can show you a really simple way to do this online.

Say you find a story that it snowed in the Sahara but it’s from an untrustworthy source.

Here we see ‘Global Warming hits the Sahara’ and there’s a picture supposedly of the

Sahara covered in snow.

Now, you could trace this story to the source, but you could also just look for coverage

from a trusted source.

If you search Snow Sahara in google and then hit the news tab, you’ll see a well-researched

story from NPR, one from CNN, one from Forbes.

All confirming that this happened.

If you have a favourite fact checking site or publication, you can float that up to the

top of your search results just by typing the name after it.

So, in this case here we put the word Snopes after snow in the Sahara and we see it floats

the Snopes site to the top.

Going to the Snopes story, which you’ll find out that snow did fall in the Sahara,

but that snow actually falls in the Sahara more than you would think.

The point is you’re not wedded to using the story that came to you, it’s the internet.

You can go out and you can find a better story and invest your time in that.

And that’s it.

There are many other tricks to fact checking but if you just do these things, if you investigate

sources before you read, if you go to the original source of the reporting, if you look

at trusted work, you’re going to do so much better on the web and doing it before you

invest time in reading the article or watching a video will make sure you’re investing

your time on decent stories and also prevent you from being fooled.

So those are the tricks, those are the skills, that’s it!