The credibility of a publication’s author
In the digital era, the sharing and access to information have become more convenient. Consequently, the volume of information available has also increased. The information overload has made it challenging to determine whether a publication is fake, real, or satire. On 30th March 2020, The Guardian, a British newspaper, published a story claiming that magnets got stuck in the nose of an astrophysicist in Australia while he was attempting to invent a coronavirus-related device. A detailed analysis of the article reveals that it is factual based on the credibility of the author and the ease of verifying the information using other sources.
The credibility of a publication’s author is a vital factor in determining the authenticity of any content. A search of the article’s author, Naaman Zhou, on the internet reveals that extensive information about him. More importantly, it shows information about his academic and career background. For instance, one can deduce that he went to the University of Sydney before becoming a reporter for The Guardian in Australia. According Reveal, an investigative journalism organization, authors of fake news often lack a traceable educational and professional background (n.p). Additionally, Zhou’s contact information, in the form of a Twitter handle, is also present in the article. Consequently, one can verify issues with the journalist, a factor that offers a further basis to ascertain the credibility of the information.
A publication’s host is also a crucial indicator of its genuineness. According to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), one should do more than simply reading the story (n.p). Instead, they should investigate the site that hosts the publication. In this case, The Guardian newspaper’s website is the host. Generally, it is considered credible, drawing from its long history in the industry and the availability of its contact information. Furthermore, the newspaper has always illustrated its support for a liberal agenda. The availability of such information to the public makes it possible for one to read the story against the context of such a bias, unlike the case for publications whose political and social inclinations are unknown. Moreover, it is advisable to check the site against databases that publish known malicious websites. For example, the NewsGuard publishes a list of websites known to spread misinformation relating to coronavirus — The Guardian is not on that list.
The content of an article is a critical pointer towards its credibility. IFLA holds that one should read beyond the headlines because publishers tend to exaggerate them to obtain a high number of clicks (n.p). Extensive reading of the story indicates that its claims are not outrageous despite the uniqueness of the situation. The author provides a detailed explanation of how the magnets became stuck in the scientist’s nose (Zhou n.p). Accordingly, when a reader mentally deconstructs the story, it gives the impression of it being genuine. Often, satire and fake stories lack in-depth analysis.
The ability to verify the information using other sources is also an essential measure to evaluate a story’s authenticity. In this case, no links are available. Nonetheless, an internet search on the story reveals that other major and credible news organizations like the BBC and the Business Insider also published the story; thus, providing a measure of verifiability.
In conclusion, the saturation of information, especially on digital platforms, creates opportunities for misinformation. Therefore, individuals must educate themselves on ways of separating fact from fiction. Based on the procedures developed by IFLA, the article published in The Guardian is real.
Works Cited
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). “How to spot fake news.” 2020, www.ifla.org/publications/node/11174
NewsGuard. “Coronavirus Misinformation Tracking Center.” 2020, www.newsguardtech.com/coronavirus-misinformation-tracking-center/
Reveal. “Reveal’s guide to spotting fake news.” 2020, www.revealnews.org/about-us/reveals-guide-to-spotting-fake-news/
Zhou, Naaman. “Astrophysicist gets magnets stuck up nose while inventing coronavirus device.” The Guardian, 2020, www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/mar/30/astrophysicist-gets-magnets-stuck-up-nose-while-inventing-coronavirus-device