Germantown Library Holds 'How To Spot Fake News' Event

GERMANTOWN, MD — Are you worried about fake news? If so, you can head over to the Germantown Library for a special event all about fake news presented by the Enoch Pratt Free Library/Maryland's State Library Resource Center Tuesday night.

"The topic of fake news is as old as the news industry itself—misinformation, hoaxes, propaganda, and satire have long been in existence," the library's page says. "This program will help you determine the kinds of fake news that exist and provide tools for how to evaluate news for its reliability and truth."

The library offers some tips on how to spot fake news:

- Consider the source: Click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission and its contact info.

- Check the author: Do a quick search on the author. Are they credible? Are they real?

- Check the date: Reposting old news stories doesn't mean they're relevant to current events.

- Check your biases: Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgement.

- Read beyond: Headlines can be outrageous in an effort to get clicks. What's the whole story?

- Supporting Sources: Click on those links. Determine if the info given actually supports the story.

- Is it a Joke?: If it is too outlandish, it might be satire. Research the site and author to be sure.

- Ask the Experts: Ask a librarian, or consult a fact-checking site.

This event is for teens, adults and seniors. It will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Germantown Library at 19840 Century Blvd.

Photo: Jeff Eaton/Flickr