Thinking Faithfully: A checklist for discernment in a noisy world
A guide to help us walk wisely in a world full of information, news, and opinion.
“Fake news” may be a useful outburst for politicians who want to avoid scrutiny, but it is becoming a serious threat to democracy. How can people decide who to vote for if the evidence they use to make that decision is untrue?
Fake news can be used by extremists to ignite already volatile situations. After the stabbings in Southport in the summer of 2024, misinformation was circulated online about the offender’s identity. The result was rioting that broke out across the UK, and even an attempt to set fire to a hotel where migrants were living.
Below are some tips and questions to ask yourself, to help you and your church avoid sharing “fake news”.
Where is the news coming from?
Can I tell who is sharing this information? Are they a trustworthy voice, or might they have an agenda?
Even if a report appears to look as if it originated from a trustworthy source, check. Fake news can use website addresses, fonts and colours that mimic legitimate media.
Even some “traditional media” have less than unblemished records on truthful reporting but generally, trusted news outlets are safer than the views of individuals.
If you want to share a post on social media, click back to find the original and ensure it was posted by who you think it was.
What’s the purpose?
Is what you are sharing something that will help build truth and understanding and foster love, or could it fuel fear and division?
You may even agree with the sentiments of a story – but remember that false news and propaganda are tools used by activists across the political spectrum.
Sharing fake news will damage your reputation and weaken your arguments.
What’s the evidence?
Are facts and legitimate sources clearly shared with fair and contrasting views, or is it just opinion?
As we know, the phrase “A photograph never lies” can now be totally ignored as video, and speeches are regularly falsified using AI, artificial intelligence. If something doesn’t feel right, check it.
With the world getting increasingly strange, what was clearly a parody a few years back has become more difficult to identify. Trace the original post to make sure that you are not sharing what was meant to be a joke!
Breaking stories
When news first breaks, authorities may not be able to confirm the facts of a situation. The gap in time and facts is often filled by speculation and vested interests. Better to wait until something is officially confirmed than share something that turns out to untrue!
Equally, old news stories being recycled as current can become twisted when the narrative is out of time and out of context. Check the dates.
Fact checking
The BBC remains the gold standard of news, and a good source to fact check against. Websites such as Snopes are useful places to check stories against. Sometimes “Googling” the key aspects of a post or part of the text will reveal whether it is truth or lies.
The old adage, if something is too good (also bad, mad, fantastic or hateful) to be true, then it probably is. Be suspicious before you repost!
With thanks to the Methodist Church Communications Team