Resources
Verification
Aids
“If we saw it on the internet it must be true. Then came Ai Artificial Intelligence and there could be no doubt. We saw the video!“
All of those ‘unbelievable’ stories and especially those videos of the impossible, likely are. Impossible.
While Snopes is my “go-to” website for checking the truth on current media claims, I admit that I regularly use Wikipedia to fact check my recollection of the historical or something I hear that doesn’t have the ring of validity.
Snopes is a reliable resource for quick verification of media news or stories. Would you believe that widespread acceptance or popularity on Facebook, X, Instagram or anywhere else does not make untruth Truth? Snopes does a remarkable job sorting out the root of disinformation and setting the record straight.
https://www.snopes.com
Several other services are available for Fact Checking; many are available through universities or public policy watchdogs or other educational services. And there are some that purport to check facts but are biased and not so truthful. The following are ones we have found useful:
Annenberg Public Policy Center’s FactCheck.org
https://www.factcheck.org
Reuters Fact Check
https://www.reuters.com/fact-check
Google Fact Check Tools
https://toolbox.google.com/factcheck
And would you believe there is even a website about Fact-Checking Sites! Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy has Duke Reporters’ LAB which includes ‘Fact-Checking News’ and ‘Fact-Checking Sites’
https://reporterslab.org/fact-checking
Now, a word about Wikipedia: you will notice we have referenced Wikipedia extensively throughout this site both as a primary source and as verification of statements made from our educational memory. The validity of Wikipedia is in the open verification of quotations throughout the articles. If a historical statement or quote is made, you will find either the footnote as to the definitive source of the quoted information or the reference that verification or citation is needed. Most articles are heavily footnoted and citations are verifiable with active links. While an article could be inaccurate, the process of validating is impressive especially for a “free” encyclopedia. (DISCLOSURE: Cowsbell does contribute financially to Wikimedia Foundation because it is the right thing to do. And if you use it, you should also contribute.)
https://en.wikipedia.org