Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation: How to Verify Your Sources

By Nicolás Blanco, Communications Associate

At Poder Latinx, we know that misinformation and disinformation can confuse voters and hurt our communities, especially Latino voters. Disinformation is false information shared with the intent to deceive, while misinformation is false information spread unintentionally. Both can affect how we vote, the policies we support, and how we see our world. Unfortunately, Latinos are disproportionately targeted by false information, especially when it comes to voting and important issues like immigration, health care, and education.

Here are some practical tips to help you verify the truth and make sure you're getting accurate information:

1. Check the Source

  • Look at who is sharing the information. Is it a credible news outlet or a random social media page?

  • Trusted sources like reputable news organizations or government websites (.gov) are more likely to be reliable. If it’s a source you’ve never heard of, look closer.

  • Be wary of websites or profiles that are vague, lack contact information, or have suspicious URLs (like random numbers in the web address).

2. Investigate the Author

  • Who wrote the article? Do they have credentials, expertise, or a history of reliable reporting?

  • Individuals or groups with hidden agendas often write fake news. Look for authors with a strong reputation for truth in their field.

3. Cross-check with Other Sources

  • One of the easiest ways to verify information is to see if other credible outlets report the same.

  • If only one website or page says something, and it's not being reported anywhere else, that’s a red flag.

4. Look for Emotional Triggers

  • Disinformation often uses fear, anger, or extreme emotion to get people to react without thinking. If a post or message is trying to provoke you, pause and investigate.

  • Be cautious of headlines that sound too outrageous or are meant to shock you—this is often a tactic used to spread false information.

5. Use Fact-Checking Websites

  • Websites like Snopes, PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, and El Detector (Univision's fact-checking service) are great tools for determining whether information has been debunked.

  • Make fact-checking a habit before you share something. It only takes a minute and can prevent the spreading misinformation.

6. Check the Date

  • Misinformation can also be old information presented as new. Always look at the date of an article or post to ensure it’s relevant to current events.

  • Some stories or facts may be true but no longer apply because they’re outdated.

7. Beware of Deepfakes and Edited Content

  • Technology has made it easier to manipulate videos, images, and audio. Deepfakes, where someone’s face or voice is altered, can be especially convincing.

  • If a video or image seems suspicious, try using tools like Google Reverse Image Search to see if it has been altered or taken out of context.

8. Pay Attention to Grammar and Writing Quality

  • Disinformation often involves bad grammar, misspelled words, or weird sentence structure. Credible news sources usually have professional writing standards.

9. Trust Your Gut and Ask Questions

  • Ask questions if something doesn’t feel right or seems too good (or bad) to be true. Always approach information with a critical mindset.

  • Don’t be afraid to engage others in a conversation about the accuracy of information. Sometimes, talking things through helps reveal falsehoods.

10. Join and Support Trusted Latino Advocacy Groups

  • Organizations like Poder Latinx work hard to fight disinformation in our community. Stay connected to trusted groups that share verified and truthful information with the Latino community.

  • Support media outlets that uplift Latino voices and perspectives—this can help balance the narrative and combat false information targeting our communities.

At Poder Latinx, we believe a well-informed community is powerful. By staying vigilant and verifying information before sharing it, you’re helping to protect yourself and others from misinformation and disinformation. Remember: your voice matters, and you must make decisions based on facts, especially when voting and advocating for our community's future.

Let's work together to keep our community informed and empowered!


Mynellies Negron