A useful pause: source, date, evidence, context, then share.
Find the original
A screenshot is not an original source. Search for the article, document, full video, or public announcement. Check whether the account sharing it actually links to evidence. If you cannot find the original, treat the claim as unverified.
Check the clock
An old story may be accurate and still misleading when presented as new. Check the publication date, update time, and the date of the event itself. Read a correction notice before drawing a conclusion.
Separate the claim from the proof
A headline can say a study suggests something without establishing cause and effect. A quoted allegation is not a finding. Identify exactly what the evidence supports. Look for named sources and links to the underlying material.
Cross-check independently
Look for reporting that adds its own evidence rather than repeating the same viral post. Two articles quoting one anonymous claim do not create two independent confirmations. Official documents are useful but still need context.
Use a responsible share
Write what is known, what is unclear, and where readers can check. When a claim is wrong, avoid amplifying it through a dramatic screenshot. Tools: Google Fact Check Explorer, the publisher’s corrections page, and the original public record.
Your next move
Play the three PressPlay games · Explore news resources · See the publisher pilot
Useful sources
Topics: misinformation · sources · verification