Be a Savvy News Consumer with Library Resources

As published in the Red Rock News

Sedona Public Library is happy to offer a wide variety of news publications, both online and hard copy, and this is just another one of the many types of resources we make available. From the New York Times online and in print, to Newsweek on OverDrive digital magazines, to local and regional news publications, you can find a news resource at the Library for all your information needs. Relax in the Library while you read the latest issue of your favorite newspaper, or check out magazines to take home. 

If you get your news from traditional sources such as those we offer, you might also rely on social media to learn about current events in real time. Social media platforms serve many functions in today’s online society: you may connect with your family and friends on Facebook, display your photography on Instagram, or use Twitter to follow your favorite celebrity. But is scrolling through your feeds on these sites the best way to consume news?  

You’ve likely heard that both credible and fake news can be found on social media—but how can you tell the difference? Let’s talk about the different types of unreliable information you may run across online. John Silva of the News Literacy Project defines misinformation as false or misleading information circulating by mistake. Meanwhile, disinformation is false information deliberately and often covertly spread in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth. They can look identical, but the difference is the intention behind it. 

• If you want to avoid being manipulated by information that is biased or inaccurate, here are a few tips to increase your social media savvy: 

 

• Slow down and take your time before liking, sharing, or commenting on a post. There could be much more to the story, especially on social media. You might be getting only one side.  

 

• Be aware of personal biases that can influence your perception. We are partial to information that comes from people who share a common interest or identity, and we handle new information better that fits what we already know.

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• Also, check for biases in news sources. A journalist’s political views can affect news coverage, as can the business interests of a news outlet.

  

• Evaluate accuracy by using fact-checking sites like Factcheck.org or Snopes.com. These websites investigate reports and rumors, offer conclusions about their veracity, and show their fact-checking work.  

 

• Take the time to evaluate memes, a social media fixture that can both provide entertainment and communicate messages that influence us. You can protect yourself from the influence of false or misleading memes by conducting a reverse image search in Tineye.com or Google. With reverse image searching, you can find out who is posting an image and for what purpose.  

 

• Similarly, be skeptical of seemingly on-point quotes found online or in memes. Find out if a quote is attributed accurately, especially if it provokes a strong emotional response.

 
You may not have the time to check the credibility of every post that passes through your news feed. Start by evaluating one post a week. See how it goes! With practice, you will build your social media savvy, learn how to spot unreliable information, and recognize bias in yourself and others. Bias can be difficult to spot, but the benefits of being reliably informed are worth the effort.

At Sedona Public Library, we pride ourselves in making a wide variety of news publications and other resources available to the communities we serve. If you have questions about the Library’s online or print news offerings, or have any other questions, we’re here to help!  Contact us at the main library, 928-282-7714, or at Sedona Library in the Village, 928-284-1603. From one savvy reader to the next, thanks for staying up to date at your library!

Sedona Public Library
Column for April 30, 2021  
Written by Andrea Lhotka, Reference Librarian