Fact-Checking Health Info Online

How Do You Fact-Check?

Look at the Web page below. Is this a reliable source of information? How would you verify that this is true?

Screenshot of Web page with image of frowning young girl receiving multiple shots, and headline "Dept. of Justice Admits Flu Shot Is Most Dangerous Vaccine In US"

Fact-Checking Strategies

Strategy 1: Has anyone else fact checked this story?

Screenshot of Google search for "fact check Dept. of Justice Admits Flu Shot Is Most Dangerous Vaccine In US" - results show a few sites have already fact-checked this claim

Strategy 2: Have any other sources corroborated this story?  

Do reputable, diverse sources corroborate this story?

Screenshot of Google search results showing a variety of websites that may discuss this claim. Some are .com sites, some are .gov sites.

Strategy 3:  What is the reputation of the website publisher?

Please watch the following 3-minute video to learn about an important strategy for fact-checking a source: Leave the Web page itself, open a new tab, and look at what the Web is telling you about the source. 

Additional viewing options: Turn on closed captions with the "CC" button or use the text transcript Links to an external site. if you prefer to read.

NewsWise. (29 June 2018). Online verification skills video 2: Investigate the source Links to an external site. [video file].