Fred Fact Doesn't Fall for Fake News

Details: For International Fact-Checking Day. This comic book was produced by the Brazilian fact-checking platform Aos Fatos, in partnership with the International Fact-Checking Network at the Poynter Institute. Available in other languages here

Summary: It can be overwhelming to try and figure out whether or not what you’re reading online is true. Doctored newspaper articles spread on Snapchat, conspiracy theories surface to the top of YouTube search results and Facebook groups are increasingly populated by scammers and fake news. From WhatsApp to Google, misinformation populates most platforms online and it can outpace verified information. As daunting as this sounds, fact-checking doesn’t have to be heavy lift — it can be as easy as reading a cartoon. That’s why Brazilian fact-checking project Aos Fatos created one. Featuring Fred Fact, the cartoon walks readers through seven simple ways they can use their smartphones to check information and become a more discerning media consumer. Tips include things as simple as checking the author’s name and reverse searching an image. Share the cartoon on social media using #FactCheckIt and #FactCheckingDay.