SMELL TEST: How to Identify Fake News

How will you identify whether a news link, an image or video that you have received from your friend on Facebook or Whatsapp is fake or not?

The SMELL test will help you check whether hundreds of messages circulating as news on various media is fake or not. 

The SMELL test involves the following:

• S is for Source: Does the news story mention the source of the news. From where did the reporter get the news. Have they quoted anyone?
• M is for Motivation: What exactly is the motivation? Is it to inform the reader or is it to mislead people? Is it to create a controversy, tarnish someone's image or to affirm our bias?
• E is for Evidence. What evidence is provided for supporting the news? Is there any contrary opinion provided or is there is any scope for a different angle?
• L is for Logic. Does the news look nonsensical? Is it just statement of facts or is there any editorializing? Are certain facts hyped to assert the writer's viewpoint??
• L is for Left out. Do you think that something has been left out Do you think that if more details were included the story would have been more factual?

Next time when you read a news story, a social media post or a message shared on social media platforms, do the SMELL test. 

You will become wiser.