Fake News: how to recognize and avoid disinformation in the digital world
Fake News: how to recognize and avoid disinformation in the digital world
Every day we are bombarded with information. Knowing how to distinguish between real and fake news is now an essential skill for anyone.
The term fake news refers to false and/or falsified news, created with the deliberate intention of distributing false information or rumors, regardless of the media and motivations associated with its creation.
It's not just about simple lies: fake news can take many different and sophisticated forms, making it a real challenge to identify them.
In what ways can they appear?
Decontextualization
Real videos or images taken out of their original context to convey a different message.
Satirical articles
Content created as satire that begins to circulate as real news.
Manipulated images
Photographs altered with editing software to change reality.
Fake websites
Pages created to imitate legitimate news channels, but which publish invented content.
Political propaganda
Fabricated stories to influence public opinion and discredit public figures.
Deepfakes with new AI
Videos and audios generated by artificial intelligence that imitate real people in an increasingly convincing way.
How do they spread so quickly?
Fake news is spread mainly through social networks (Twitter/X, Facebook) and messaging apps like WhatsApp. Studies indicate that 38% of adults search for news digitally, which creates a fertile environment for disinformation.
Their creators are mainly motivated by three reasons: to gain likes and notoriety, to generate clicks that earn advertising money, and to influence public opinion for political reasons.
With the advance of artificial intelligence, the number of deepfakes in circulation has grown from around 500,000 in 2023 to around 8 million in 2025.
How to spot fake news: 5 practical steps
Don't just read the headline
The headline may be sensationalist and not reflect the actual content. Read the whole story before drawing conclusions or sharing.
Confirm the source
Who publishes the news? Is it a recognized media outlet, such as RTP, Público or Jornal de Notícias? Check the website address carefully.
Search for the same news in other sources
If the news is true, other serious media will also publish it. If it only appears in one place, be suspicious.
Check the facts
Research the data, studies or statements mentioned in the news. There are websites specializing in fact-checking, such as Polígrafo (poligrafo.sapo.pt) and Agência Lusa's Combate às Fake News.
Always question, even if it comes from someone you trust
Fake news can be shared by friends or family in good faith. The fact that it comes from someone you know doesn't make it true.
What can you do individually?
The simplest and most effective rule is this: if you have doubts, don't share. Every share contributes to the spread of disinformation. You can also report false content directly on the digital platforms where you find it.
Knowing how to recognize fake news is not just a matter of curiosity. It is an essential skill in today's digital world. Digital literacy begins precisely here: in the ability to question, verify and then share.
If in doubt, consult Polígrafo (poligrafo.sapo.pt), Internet Segura (internetsegura.pt) or Lusa's Combate às Fake News (combatefakenews.lusa.pt), which do fact-checking in Portugal.
