Fact and Friction

The Story

Misinformation and disinformation about the latest Israel-Hamas war is spreading on social media. 

Don’t I know it.

Since the war started, millions have scrolled through TikTok and Instagram for real-time info and updates — but have been flooded with misinformation (content that’s unintentionally misleading) and disinformation (content that’s intentionally misleading). That includes recycled video and images, a doctored doc, even video game footage taken out of context. The size and scope is so large that some experts are saying it’s “without precedent.” And it comes after widespread layoffs across the tech industry have included cuts to “trust and safety” teams, making it harder to moderate and police problematic content. Now, the EU has sent formal requests to Meta and TikTok, asking that they detail how they’ll address the problem. And it has also opened an investigation into X. (Worth noting: Both Meta and TikTok have said they’re stepping up efforts to fight misinformation.)

So I shouldn’t believe everything I see?

Probably not. For now, it might be best to be your own fact checker. Here are a few tips for doing just that… 

• Check the source. When you come across new info, a healthy dose of skepticism is OK — even encouraged. Ask yourself a few key questions: Is this the original piece of content? What account shared this or created it? (If you can’t find the original source, that can be a red flag.) When was the account started, and who is behind it? How many followers do they have, and how often do they post?

• Do a little digging. To vet a particular claim or headline, Google the exact phrase and see if it’s been published in mainstream news outlets. You could also look at sites like Snopes.com or Poynter.org. For pictures, a quick Google reverse image search should tell you if it’s an old image that’s being repurposed. But these days, it’s also a good idea to see if it’s made by AI. To do that, experts recommend zooming in on details like hands, inanimate objects, and background text to see if they feel off. And be wary of anything that looks blurry or overly glossy. Meanwhile, to check the authenticity of a video, look for multiple edits, odd cuts, and other telltale signs. Or, use a third-party tool like InVid.

• Have some trusted sources. With so much new info coming in all the time, it can be tricky (if not impossible) to verify every claim, image, and video. So consider adding a few wire services (like the Associated Press and Reuters) and gov accounts to your feeds. You could also use a news tool, like Apple, Google, or Yahoo News, which have some built-in moderation.