Why Fact Checking Is Important This Political Season
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why Fact Checking Is Important This Political Season

Don't believe everything you see, hear, or read.

99
Why Fact Checking Is Important This Political Season
YouTube -- Pinocchio Video

I am sure you know by now not to trust everything you see on the Internet. With technology advancements, it has become increasingly hard to discern the truth from the convincingly fake. That is why we learn early on in school how to fact-check our sources to make sure that they are reliable. I recently come across a New York Times article fact-checking Trump's speech that he made at the Republic National Convention. Not long after, our own President Obama did the same.

I believe that we as voting Americans should follow their example with the three and some months left until we hit the polls. I think we are too quick to trust and if our friends are posting something online, or our favorite candidate said it, then it must be true. We hear what we want to hear and we don't take the time to actually check whether or not it is true.

When Melania Trump gave her speech, the whole internet exploded with how she plagiarized Michelle Obama and how awful it was. Then someone made a Twitter post of Donald Trump saying the same thing as Barack Obama to try and make at least some of the public believe that the Trumps are copycats. I unfortunately saw the image of the two tweets un-ironically on Facebook as well.

I have also seen a remarkable amount of articles shared by my friends that are from sketchy sources saying not nice things about a candidate. But because it was what they wanted to hear and it put a passionate hate in their heart against the candidate, they shared it, and others shared it from them.

It is important that we put effort into what we know and what is reliable because we can't trust everything the media says. I would hate for someone to have the wrong impression of a candidate and vote based on what they saw and heard on television than actually looking into it and seeing if it is true.

Before November, fact check, fact check, fact check. I would really hate for you to have a false idea of a political candidate just because someone else wanted you to. It's just like doing research for a paper in that you should check your facts, using two different, reliable sources.

I know fact checking does take some time from your day but please remember that this is the leader of our country that we have the opportunity to vote for. We need to make the right decision and not just check a box because we believed an article or a speech that is not in fact reliable.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

47652
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

30203
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

954266
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

171335
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments