War Against 'Fake News': Dealing With Conflicting Reports

Often, as new information is coming to light or even when we review hotly contested historical events, there might be conflicting reports by different sources.

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For instance, when learning about the Battle at Lexington and Concord, also known as the "Shot Heard Round the World", students read first-hand accounts from witnesses who report conflicting information.

When faced with this, sometimes young learners will look to adults and ask which is accurate. Adults should redirect that thinking toward examining why there might be conflicting reports in the first place. Sometimes what looks like conflicting reports or "facts" is actually two different perspectives or "sides" that need to be examined. Other times there are so-called conflicting facts because only one set of information is actually true while the other is a mistake or a lie.

The tips below can help adults work with young people to figure out the difference.

Practical Tips

• How many other sources are reporting the same information? Find corroboration.
• Do the corroborating sources seem to be reporting other believable information?
• Do any of the sources or reports seem biased or skewed to favor one side?

If new information comes to light that disproves a previously held opinion, be open to sharing with children that it is OK to change one's understandings in that circumstance.

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In any of these conversations, be sure to stay calm. Children can feel anxious and uncertain when they are confused about information and a calm adult can help them think rationally.

References

• Politifact http://www.politifact.com
• Factcheck http://www.factcheck.org
• Snopes http://www.snopes.com
• Poynter Fact Checking Network http://www.poynter.org/fact-checkers-code-of-principles
• All Sides https://www.allsides.com
• Washington Post Fact Checker https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker

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