Introduction to Lateral Reading

When evaluating a website, look at what others have said about that page, rather than relying primarily on what the site says about itself.

Investigate the Source

Look up a source in Wikipedia as a first step towards learning more about a site or organization.

Find Better Coverage

Professional fact checkers seek out coverage of an issue from reliable sources.

A reliable source has:

• "a process in place for encouraging accuracy, verifying facts, and correcting mistakes"

• expertise in the relevant area

• a strong incentive to get things right, regardless of their overall agenda or aim.

Trace Claims, Quotes and Media

Claims or pieces of information don't always come directly from the individual or organization who made it. Go "upstream" to find the source.