3 ways to know you can trust your social media news source

Your practical guide to distinguishing real news from fake news

For most of us, social media has become the top source for news. How do you know if you can trust news in social media? Here are three proven criteria to ensure that your social media newsfeed is trustworthy.

1. Accuracy.

Begin by paying attention to the headlines. Does the content of the story match the headline? Look at the actual facts of the news shared. Google the quotations and the individuals who said them. Are they reputable sources? Accuracy is the paramount principle of trust. If the actual representation of facts is not accurate, then it’s not a reliable source of information and is not worth your time.

Timing.

Social media is a dynamic place. Things happen fast and news is shared at a lightning pace. If more than 24 hours has passed, the information isn’t considered new in social media. Your newsfeed should deliver breaking news instantaneously.

Clarity.

Another factor for you to determine the reliability of your news source is the clarity of the content. Is it concise and comprehensive? A dependable news source would not give any vague information or speculate; it should present you with a clear and true picture of what happened.

Social media picks up and shares content from all sorts of media sources. It’s important that you are able to tell a reliable source of information from someone who is trying to gain traffic using unsubstantiated stories. Download Axia Public Relations’ guide Learn Media Relations from the Media to learn the best way to tell your company’s story and maximize your business growth.

Yulia Dianova is a public relations professional who is skilled in building relationships with target audiences. She provides counsel to organizations that seek PR help to further their growth and reach their goals. Yulia earned a master’s degree in public relations management from University of Maryland University College. She is fluent in Russian and English and is always looking for a new challenge. Yulia has worked for Axia Public Relations since July 2015. Learn more about Yulia Dianova. Connect with Axia on Twitter @axiapr or tell us what you think in the comments below.