Read past the headline
A headline is an entry point, not the whole story. Check the date, identify the event being described and read enough to understand the context. Old stories sometimes circulate again without their original date. Ask what has actually happened and what remains a prediction or a claim.
Identify the original source
Look for the document, statement or data behind a report. A quote from an unnamed source and a published official document provide different kinds of evidence. Where a story concerns a dispute, notice whose perspective is represented and which important questions remain unanswered.
Separate facts from interpretation
Reporting describes events; analysis explains possible meanings; opinion argues for a view. All can be useful, but they should not be treated as interchangeable. When a number appears, check what it measures, the period it covers and the comparison being made. A percentage without a baseline can be misleading.
Choose a healthy reading routine
Set aside a limited period to catch up instead of checking every alert. Compare reliable sources when an issue matters to you, and allow your view to change as evidence improves. Before sharing, open the original link and check whether the headline reflects the article. Being informed includes knowing when you do not yet have enough information.
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