Written by: Vickie Sullivan | July 16, 2020
Share Articles Online, but Do It Strategically
I love sharing articles on social media. I also regularly read articles that people in my community share. Sadly, though, some of my colleagues have shared articles that changed how I perceive their expertise and perspective.
Which begs the question: How do you determine the best articles to share with your community? Many of us (guilty as charged) will pass along articles that we agree with or provide a great example. In these polarized times, though, that’s not always the best decision.
Instead, let’s drill down one level and check out our sources. Here are some tools to help you determine if you are unintentionally spreading incorrect information and/or conspiracy theories:
• For checking articles from online media outlets, Media Bias/Fact Check and Allsides are great starting points for checking out overall bias. Why I recommend: They identify their data sources and explain their methodology. The latter also has a nice distinction between news and editorial.
• For checking claims within specific articles, use FactCheck.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan project run by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania. This site covers many categories (science, viral rumors, etc.) yet is easy to navigate. Check out their funding sources: They’re people like you and me, not unions, corporate America (except for Facebook, which they help to combat fake news).
Listen: What the Things You Share Say About Your Brand
Yes, you create value by curating thought-provoking articles. Just make sure the content you share aligns with your brand. The media sources you share show the water you swim in.
Now Read This:
- How to Counteract False Stories
- Strategic Sounding Boards Give Real-World Advice for When the Rubber Meets the Road