Before you share a headline, check the evidence

A convincing headline can travel faster than the evidence behind it. Before forwarding a dramatic claim, pause long enough to identify what is actually known. The aim is not to distrust every report, but to separate a documented event from a confident assertion.

Find the original claim

Open the article rather than relying on a screenshot. Look for a named author, a publication date and links to the material on which the report depends. A story about an announcement should ideally identify the organisation that made it. If the article links only to another summary, follow the chain until you reach the original statement.

Check time and context

An old photograph may be genuine while the caption attached to it is misleading. Check whether the date, location and description agree. Watch for a cropped quotation that omits a condition or exception. If you cannot establish where an image came from, do not treat it as proof.

Share uncertainty honestly

Look for independent confirmation instead of counting websites that repeat the same wording. If the evidence remains incomplete, wait or clearly explain what has not been confirmed. If you shared an error, correct it where you posted the original claim.