How to Recognize Lies on Social Media After a Mass Shooting
Rumors spread quickly when a news event begins. Even across the country, from Las Vegas, people who had not yet gone to bed had a hard time falling asleep as they watched the death toll rise and information leaked out about what had happened and who the shooter might have been. But the truth was mixed with half-truths, hoaxes and lies.
This includes the main news outlets: sooner or later, some will deny the facts. But any good publication will correct its reports as they become available and will cite relevant sources.
But at the same time, rumors will spread. Some of them are rumors and speculation, while others are created as pranks. Buzzfeed has a perennial list of Las Vegas filming hoaxes , which includes photos and names of people alleged to have shot (but they didn’t) and missing persons (likewise; one person’s “dad” is a photograph from a porn movie.).
Some misinformation is created by people pushing the agenda trying to associate a fictional shooter with a specific ideology or ethnic group. (Note that terrorist groups “reporting” the event may be among them even if there was no communication between the shooter and the group; wait for confirmation from the police or other sources.) As facts about the shooter and the event emerge, so will theirs. you can twist:
So how do you know what to believe after a shootout or other horrific news-breaking event? Get started with this media toolbox :
It is intended to help you understand if the news is true. (If these other rumors turn out to be true, they will make it into the news soon enough. Refrain from retweeting if the evidence is scarce.) Among the most important points are:
- Do not believe stories where another news outlet is the only source of information.
- If they “receive reports” or “seek confirmation”, the information is not confirmed.
- There will be fake alerts and Photoshopped images.
- Look for reports (with real sources such as the police department) from news outlets close to the event.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Las Vegas Sun are the city’s two main newspapers. There are also verified Twitter accounts for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the City of Las Vegas .