Sharing interesting articles on social media is an excellent way to engage your target audience and drive more people to your website. However, it’s essential to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the information before sharing it. If you share unreliable or false information, it can negatively impact your company’s reputation. Here are some tips to help you find reliable and truthful content that reflects your professionalism and credibility.
Step 1: determine the source of the news
Before sharing any news you find online, it’s crucial to determine where it came from. This will help you assess the reliability of the article and the authenticity of the information it contains. It’s worth noting that websites such as forums, personal pages, blogs, and those without an identifiable administrator are NOT considered credible sources of information.
However, you can generally trust information from official pages and established websites, such as:
- Higher education institutions (HEC Montréal, McGill University, Université Laval and McMaster University)
- International organizations (the United Nations, the World Trade Organization and the World Health Organization)
- Professional associations (the Ordre des arpenteurs-géomètres du Québec, the Canadian Paediatric Society, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Ordre des hygiénistes dentaires du Québec, etc.)
- Public and para-public organizations (local community service centres and integrated health and social services centres.)
- National or independent news media that respect journalistic ethics (CBC, Courrier international, Le Monde and The Wall Street Journal)
- Other recognized references (Protégez-Vous, The Car Guide and CAA)
Do you know who you’re dealing with?
Have you identified the author of the news item you’re interested in? Good for you! But do you really know who you’re dealing with? Do some research to find out more about the organization that published the text. What’s its mission? Does it receive financial support from a government department? Does it belong to a politician? What are the interests of its directors? The more you know about your source, the better equipped you will be to assess its credibility..Step 2: Verify the facts
Does the news article you want to share not come from an official source? Do you have doubts about the accuracy of some of the information? Take a few extra minutes to fact-check! To do this, it’s best to go back to the source of the facts. For example, if you’re a restaurant owner and want to share an article about a new law on beverage service permits, you should first check the law’s text. This will ensure you don’t miss any critical details that the journalist or author of the article may have overlooked. Are you a fan of Wikipedia? Don’t unquestioningly trust the information in this online encyclopedia. You should always verify the credibility of the sources listed at the bottom of the page and consult them directly. Examining the statistics is crucial, as figures can be manipulated to convey specific messages.
Have you considered the date of the article?
What was true in 2008 may no longer be true today. Make sure you use the most recent statistics and data, especially if you’re creating or sharing content related to health, science and technology. Numerous studies are being conducted in these fields, so ensure you’re referencing the latest information.Step 3: Play it safe
If the author doesn’t cite their sources, or if you have doubts about the legitimacy of their statements and cannot verify their accuracy, avoid sharing this news article altogether. Similarly, when creating content, cite your sources and insert hyperlinks. This will lend credibility to your writing. If necessary, provide additional information to back up your comments.
Are you looking for specific information?
If you’re looking for specific information to enhance your content, relying on search engines is not always best. Instead, find a trusted organization that can answer your questions. Visit their website for more information. For example, if you’re a foot specialist and want to write about plantar warts, you could visit the Canadian Podiatric Medical Association’s website. You’ll be sure to publish reliable data verified by health professionals.Need help creating quality content?
At Scriptum, we know how to find the most reliable sources to produce editorial content based on credible information. Contact us for professional-quality blog posts, newsletters, promotional texts and corporate documents.