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Fake News & Evaluating Information: Why It Matters

This guide will help you to verify and utilize fact-based news resources for research purposes.

Why It Matters

"Why Should I Care?"

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1. You deserve the truth.  You are smart enough to make up your own mind - as long as you have the real facts in front of you. 

2. You have every right to be insulted when you read fake news.

3. Fake news can hurt you, and a lot of other people.  Purveyors of fake medical advice like Mercola.com and NaturalNews.com help perpetuate myths like HIV and AIDS aren't related, or that vaccines cause autism.  These sites are heavily visited and their lies are dangerous.

4. Real news can benefit you. If you are writing a research paper, your professor will expect you to vet your sources. If you are planning on voting in an election, you want to read as much good information on a candidate so you can vote for the person who best represents your ideas and beliefs.  Fake news will not help you get a good grade or make the world a better place, but real news can.