Read on Twitter
Today is a good day to remind everyone: Think about what you’re sharing before you do! If you share mis- or disinformation (during big events or otherwise), it contributes to confusion and extremism.
Ways to help avoid this with “news” tweets and social posts, from a journalist:
Ways to help avoid this with “news” tweets and social posts, from a journalist:
Follow or make a list of your favorite trusted journalists. You don’t have to do this for every topic, as journalists know colleagues' strengths.
For mail-in ballots, for example, I like to share @grace_panetta's reporting (and reporting she shares). Same goes for many topics.
For mail-in ballots, for example, I like to share @grace_panetta's reporting (and reporting she shares). Same goes for many topics.
Check the bio of the person you’re retweeting. Just being verified doesn’t cut it!
Who are they? Is this tweet about Washington, DC from a DC news correspondent or other reporter/expert, or is it a rando with a checkmark?
Who are they? Is this tweet about Washington, DC from a DC news correspondent or other reporter/expert, or is it a rando with a checkmark?
Can’t figure out who the person is? That happens sometimes!
If a post has images “from” an event and you’re committed to sharing it, go to Google Images and use reverse image search. Perhaps this photo is actually from another time and you didn’t know that until you searched!
If a post has images “from” an event and you’re committed to sharing it, go to Google Images and use reverse image search. Perhaps this photo is actually from another time and you didn’t know that until you searched!
No images to check? That also happens!
Google the keywords and click the “news” tab. No official stories yet? Search the keywords on Twitter (or look at popular tweets in the Google results) and see if you can find confirmation from a journalist or topic expert.
Google the keywords and click the “news” tab. No official stories yet? Search the keywords on Twitter (or look at popular tweets in the Google results) and see if you can find confirmation from a journalist or topic expert.
Also important: Impassioned tweets designed to go viral can be very helpful to society and in opening minds. But just as many can be self-serving, especially for verified accounts looking to grow their following and reach.
Think about the context of the post you’re sharing.
Does it potentially mischaracterize the situation? Hold off on sharing it and maybe find a better one. The same goes for posts designed to pander to a certain audience in an extreme or mischaracterized manner.
Does it potentially mischaracterize the situation? Hold off on sharing it and maybe find a better one. The same goes for posts designed to pander to a certain audience in an extreme or mischaracterized manner.
Big takeaways: Who is sharing? What is the context? What is the connotation people will get and does it reflect reality? Does it seem extreme or overly pandering? Can you or someone trustworthy verify it?
Go forth and please be mindful of how your posts and shares impact others!
Go forth and please be mindful of how your posts and shares impact others!
