A lot of things you encounter online have been stripped of context. This includes: false, attention-grabbing headlines; inaccurate or misleading reporting and re-reporting; manipulated, edited sound and video; memes and images being shared with inaccurate captions, etc.
In most cases, the more a story circulates, the more it becomes warped and you may end up with a false version of an event or piece of research. This is when you need to investigate further and trace information (claims, quotes, media) back to the original source for full context.
The below video [4:10] discusses the use of fact-checking sites, along with tips on how to trace claims and stories to their original source.
When using SIFT, there are fact-checking websites that are dedicated to reporting whether a story is true or false. Here are just a few reliable fact-checking sites:
One of the oldest debunking sites. Focuses on urban legends, news stories and memes.
"We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit 'consumer advocate' for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases."
PolitiFact is an independent fact-checking website created by the Tampa Bay Times newspaper to sort out the truth in American politics. It rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics.
Checks "the accuracy of claims by pundits, columnists, bloggers, political analysts, the hosts and guests of talk shows, and other members of the media."
"...dedicated to evaluating medical treatments and products of interest to the public in a scientific light, and promoting the highest standards and traditions of science in health care."
Sites like Snopes not only report whether a story is true or false, but often provides context (ie, the whole story) and additional sources used to find information.
"Political bias is a bias or perceived bias involving the slanting or altering of information to make a political position or political candidate seem more attractive. With a distinct association with media bias, it commonly refers to how a reporter, news organization, or TV show covers a political candidate or a policy issue" (Wikipedia, accessed June 30, 2021).
The following non-profit organizations work to provide up-to-date information on political and media bias:
AllSides: News website that presents reporting from multiple sources.
"We expose people to information and ideas from all sides of the political spectrum so they can better understand the world — and each other. Our balanced news coverage, media bias ratings, civil dialogue opportunities, and technology platform are available for everyone and can be integrated by schools, nonprofits, media companies, and more."
Pew Research Center, Political Polarization: Survey data.
"Political polarization – the vast and growing gap between liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats – is a defining feature of American politics today, and one the Pew Research Center has documented for many years."