A Quick Red-Flag Checklist for Spotting Disinformation
A practical checklist for spotting recurring disinformation patterns after breaking news, including fabricated evidence, misused data, and narratives that shift blame away from perpetrators. Designed to help readers slow down and verify before sharing.
Misinformation spreads quickly after major events. Some false narratives thrive because they tap into deep biases, travel faster than verification, and appeal to emotion over evidence.
This checklist helps you identify common patterns that appear again and again across different incidents — regardless of context. You can use it whenever you encounter fast-moving claims about breaking news.
Red flags to watch for
Is the “evidence” a screenshot instead of a live, verifiable source?
Screenshots are easy to fabricate or manipulate, and they make it difficult to check what’s real.
Was the profile or account supposedly “deleted” before anyone could verify it?
Claims of deletion are often used to explain why no one can independently confirm a source.
Does the name or identity seem symbolically generic or “on the nose” rather than specific?
Overly stereotypical names or identities are sometimes used to steer blame toward a particular group.
Are images shown without dates, locations, or original context?
Images detached from time and place are highly susceptible to misinterpretation and misuse.
Is data or analytics being used to imply foreknowledge rather than reaction?
Search trends and other analytics typically reflect public response after events happen — not prediction.
Does the claim shift responsibility from actors to innocent groups or victims?
A common tactic is to redirect blame away from perpetrators by accusing victims or unrelated communities.
Are emotionally charged phrases like “false flag”, “inside job”, or references to secret actors replacing evidence?
These terms are often rhetorical shortcuts that substitute assertion for proof.
How to use this checklist
No single item on this list proves a claim is false. But when several appear together, they are strong warning signs that you are looking at disinformation rather than confirmed information.
When in doubt, slow down, look for independent reporting, and check for credible, sourced verification before sharing further.
This checklist is designed to be saved, linked to, and shared as a resource for anyone trying to navigate fast-moving claims online.
