Bad Sources = Bad Information

 We live in a time where it is very easy for anyone to share their ideas and opinions on absolutely anything. Our deep educational experiences have ingrained in us the thought that if we read something in the open media, then it must have credibility because it is "published." However, being accessible and being published are very different things and in today's information bonanza, neither equates to credible.

There has been a lot of bas information in the media lately, and I'm not speaking about national news sources. I'm referring to the increased amount of personal news reporting that we see on social media and click bait news. Any time there is a national tragedy in our country, there are those that have a need to speak their mind, no matter the truth or facts. However, many people will interpret this information as factual, "its on the internet, it must be true." We see this with every mass shooting that takes place, the recent tragedy in Texas is no exception.

The fact is that people want to read material that is saying the same thing they are thinking. Most people aren't looking for information to make conclusions, they are making conclusions and looking for justification. Again, this does not equate true. We have to do better when it comes to checking sources and looking for facts. Reading about it on Facebook does not mean it is factual and supported. So, how do we check our sources and look for facts?

First, make sure that you are really open to finding facts, because in some cases, the facts may not line up with your personal convictions or beliefs. Be open to these foreign ideas and willing to accept them as true, even if you disagree.

Second, understand that there is nothing wrong with having a contrary opinion. There is something wrong with placing greater value on opinion over supported facts. Misinformation will spread this way and that is not helpful.

Look for information from credible sources. Most news agencies will not print bad information because they run the risk of being sued. Even is you don't like certain news agency for its beliefs, that does not mean that they are wrong. Plus, many news agencies will have sources for their information. If you can't find it somewhere else credible, then there must be something wrong with the information.

Finally, use websites that specialize in truth seeking. Snopes is a great example of a site that is more concerned with the facts than anything else. You can explore it here.

So the next time your Facebook friend's roommate's second cousin makes a post, take a better look at it before hitting the share button. You just might save someone from a bad source.

- Markos Chavez MLIS