How to make the internet our ethical helper?

Conflicts in ethical decision-making are also closely linked to critical thinking and the ability to spot fake news. Almost everyone in Western society uses the internet more or less extensively for their decision-making. But can we use the internet ethically? 

Combating misinformation is increasingly becoming a key priority for many governments. The European Union also supports fact-checking, i.e. independent verification of information. This is why new organisations and projects are being set up to combat disinformation. These include, for example, The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), which is dedicated to, for example, mapping fact-checking organisations in Europe, supporting research activities on disinformation, operating a public portal for media literacy and supporting public authorities in monitoring policies put in place by online platforms to limit the spread and impact of disinformation.

Another important organisation in this respect is The European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFSCN), which is an independent association of European fact-checking organisations. This association seeks to promote media literacy and public education, the highest standards of fact-checking and to combat misinformation.

The rise of the internet has led to a structural change in the public sphere. This transformation brings both challenges and opportunities for democracy. On one hand, it reduces the control powerful groups (such as political or economic elites) have over the production and flow of information — this can support transparency and pluralism. On the other hand, people often turn to fast, superficial sources like short TikTok or YouTube videos for information, which may limit deeper political understanding. It’s important not to fall into binary thinking, such as labeling information as simply “fake” or “true.” Social reality is complex, and navigating it ethically requires reflection, context, and critical media literacy.

How to recognise fake news and misinformation and make the right decisions?

Let’s now look at what can help us recognise fake news and misinformation. By adopting a few simple rules and tips, we can help to prevent the spread of untruths, stereotypes or discrimination and thus directly or indirectly promote equal opportunities.

Tips for spotting fake news and misinformation:

✅ Check your sources

Always check the source of the information. Is it a credible media outlet? Are the facts supported by links to other sites and what is their credibility? Are the quotes given true? You can find out simply by copying and pasting the quote into a search engine such as Google. Also look for the original sources on which the text is based.

✅ Look for the author behind everything

Who is the author of the text? Is there a real name that can be verified, or just a pseudonym? Does the author have real expertise that can be verified? Is it possible to find the author’s digital footprint on the internet?

✅ Verify fake photos

In the age of the huge boom in AI-generated images and videos, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to tell what’s real and what’s fake. However, there are tools to help you spot fake photos, such as Google Reverse Image Search.

✅ Watch out for emotive captions and language

If your headline includes exclamations such as, “They kept this from you!”, “Shocking revelation”, this indicates possible manipulation of the facts. The aim of these headlines is to attract readers, but they are rarely verified and substantiated information.

✅ Think about what the text is for

Always think about where the information is located and who is the author of the text. This can help you to better understand the author’s intention.

👉 We hope that you will find fact-checking much easier and that our practical tips will help you to find and process information and make better informed decisions. And be a better leader and inspiration to others.