Attention, forgery!
What is fake news?
«Fake news» literally means «fake news». This refers to untrue information, for example texts or photos. At first glance, it often looks like real news and is spread in a targeted manner - often on social networks and messenger services. It is usually about current topics, such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East at the moment. They attract a lot of attention when they trigger strong emotions such as fear or anger.
Many people who read or see fake news believe it to be real and spread it further. It can therefore happen that a lot of people receive false information within a short space of time.
Who is behind it?
People write and spread fake news for various reasons. For example, to earn money from it. Some websites get money for showing adverts. The more people visit their site, the more they earn. That's why they invent the most blatant news and sensationalist headlines possible to generate lots of clicks. However, people often also spread made-up news to influence other people's opinions, stir up fears or create a targeted atmosphere against certain groups or people.
More information and tips:
Pro Juventute
www.jugendundmedien.ch
Fake news quiz on SRF school
Current information on fake news and images, for example at: www.mimikama.org
How do you recognise fake news?
Fake news is often difficult to recognise. Here are some tips that can help:
Check the text: How is it written? Is the headline very sensational? Are there a lot of spelling mistakes or exclamation marks? Then you should be suspicious.
Check the source: Where does the news item come from? Is an author named and is there an imprint stating who is responsible for the text?
Check the facts: Do well-known media or other sources also report on the topic?
Check the pictures too! With a reverse image search, for example via Google Images or Tin Eye, you can search the Internet for identical or similar photos and find out whether the image is genuine.
As a general rule: think first, then share!
