Information On The Internet- Beware! Part 3
W
hile the Internet (or rather, entities that misuse it) can be guilty of disseminating false, misleading, or even down-right dangerous information, it can also provide us with the means by which we can protect ourselves from being misinformed, misled, or deceived. The following are well-known (and perhaps, not-so-well known) websites that have been created to do just that:
Snopes.com is considered to be one of the best and most widely referenced sites for the purpose of dispelling all sorts of rumors, urban legends and such on an incredibly wide variety of topics. It was created in 1995 and is operated by David and Barbara Mikkelson. Since that time, its database has been continually updated with new information, all designed to provide the facts. The number of topics they review is just astounding and they go further by presenting substantial evidence about every one of them so that you can make up your own mind as to whether the topic under question or discussion is true or just a rumor.
TruthOrFiction.com offers you the ultimate email reality check. Get the truth about rumors, inspirational stories, virus warnings, hoaxes, scams, humorous tales, pleas for help, urban legends, prayer requests, calls to action, and other commonly forwarded emails. Even if you are Internet savvy, sometimes, these rumors can really sound true. TruthorFiction.com covers a huge array of topics so you can rest assure that you will get answers about the even the weirdest of rumors.
Hoax-Slayer.com is also dedicated to debunking email hoaxes, thwarting Internet scammers, combating spam, and educating web users about email and Internet security issues. Hoax-Slayer allows Internet users to quickly check the veracity of common email hoaxes and it aims to counter-act criminal activity by publishing information about common types of malicious Internet scams. It also includes many anti-spam tips, computer and email security information, articles about true email forwards, and much, much more.
VERIFYING POLITICAL INFORMATION
FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit "consumer advocate” for voters that works to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.
They monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Their goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding. Their updates come quite frequently since politics and government policies are subjects riddled with rumors, misunderstood information, and falsehoods. They also present substantial evidence as to why a particular story is true or false which makes them highly credible.
PolitiFact.com is a project initiated by The St. Petersburg Times to help you find the truth in American politics. Reporters and editors from the Times fact-check statements made by members of Congress, the White House, lobbyists and interest groups, and rate them on a Truth-O-Meter. They are also tracking more than 500 of Barack Obama’s campaign promises and are rating the progress their ‘The Obameter’. This is one of their coolest initiatives. They keep a track of the President’s campaign promises and whether or not he has actually delivered on them, reneged, or is actively working to fulfill them
OpenSecrets.org is your nonpartisan guide to money’s influence on U.S. elections and public policy. Whether you’re a voter, journalist, activist, student or interested citizen, use this free site to shine light on the government. While not an actual fact-checking website, it does keep tabs on the amount of contributions any representative of Congress receives from a specific company or a lobby group. With this information, you can quickly see if this influences the decisions made by that member of Congress. This is just one step towards making our representatives in the House of Representatives and Senate just a bit more accountable.
With the proper level of skepticism and an effective means of verification, we all can all avoid being duped into believing everything that we see on the ‘Net.
