This kind of misinformation often spikes before, during and after actual major news. Many real news events will include information from the ground, like smartphone videos and first-person narratives. Even if you see only legitimate posts, they can still be confusing or misleading — they may be the most compelling pieces of a puzzle, but they are not the whole picture. Try to augment any one-off clips or stories with broader context about what is happening. Mix in information from established experts on the topic, whether it’s foreign policy, cyberwarfare, history or politics. You can also turn to online or television outlets that add this context for most stories.
