A lot of people throw around the term fake news about any story that doesnt meet their ideology. But do you really know how to tell the difference between fake and the real thing?Separating fact from fiction can be difficult in the current politically-charged climate. You need to know how to tell if someone has a specific agenda to judge everything from what you repost to knowing how you want to vote.WLWT News 5 investigative reporter Todd Dykes shares a series of tips and tools that can help you spot the fake online.First, you need to be skeptical. That sounds like an easy tip, but with the flood of news articles, reposts and retweets currently clogging news feeds, it may be easier said than done.To avoid falling into traps, first ask yourself if an article backs up your own beliefs. No one wants to be the person who gets caught in an echo chamber. If a news stories verifies something youve always thought, then run a quick search with a few keywords to see if you can find an opposing viewpoint.Remember that popularity is not proof. Just because a tweet has been shared millions of times does not make it true. Likewise, a number of articles about the same subject does not always mean you can take it at face value. Several articles from reputable news sources that are all independently written almost always means you can trust the underlying facts. But if the articles you find are all from sites with a particular bias and all contain similar language, its possible one article has been reposted to several sites. Determining which news sites are reputable and independent can also be tough. Some things to look for include: Bios of authors that allow you to click through to see their backgrounds and other articles theyve written Multiple sources from various sides of the political spectrum Few if any uses of exclamation points or writing in all caps No conclusions from the author about the motives of a person in an articleWhen you read an article always check to see if it is labeled as opinion. Most reputable news sites will clearly label any opinion story.You should also be sure the site youre on -- or the story you see posted or tweeted -- is from an actual news website. A large number of websites specialize in satire or spoof stories. The more reputable among them will clearly identify that their websites are providing humor rather than news. But some need a closer examination to get to the truth.You also need to run any pictures or videos through your filters too. Both are easier than ever to fake. A few tips to help you: Check for consistent lighting. Look at surroundings to be sure they match the time and place a photo or video claims to represent. Look for the source of a photo to see if it says who took it and when. Ask yourself why its being sent to you now to understand the context of the message being conveyed. Know how to check for the origin of a photo.Several online tools are available to help you verify a photos origins:https://images.google.comwww.tineye.comhttps://yandex.com/imagesAre all quick and easy to use sites that allow you to track down a photos origin, where else its been used, and possibly the original photographer.The final tips are two of the most important points. First, remember that finding the truth is ultimately up to you. Finally, you need to work hard to avoid being part of the problem. If you see something you cant be certain is true dont share it.

A lot of people throw around the term fake news about any story that doesnt meet their ideology. But do you really know how to tell the difference between fake and the real thing?

Separating fact from fiction can be difficult in the current politically-charged climate. You need to know how to tell if someone has a specific agenda to judge everything from what you repost to knowing how you want to vote.

WLWT News 5 investigative reporter Todd Dykes shares a series of tips and tools that can help you spot the fake online.

First, you need to be skeptical. That sounds like an easy tip, but with the flood of news articles, reposts and retweets currently clogging news feeds, it may be easier said than done.

To avoid falling into traps, first ask yourself if an article backs up your own beliefs. No one wants to be the person who gets caught in an echo chamber. If a news stories verifies something youve always thought, then run a quick search with a few keywords to see if you can find an opposing viewpoint.

Remember that popularity is not proof. Just because a tweet has been shared millions of times does not make it true. Likewise, a number of articles about the same subject does not always mean you can take it at face value. Several articles from reputable news sources that are all independently written almost always means you can trust the underlying facts. But if the articles you find are all from sites with a particular bias and all contain similar language, its possible one article has been reposted to several sites.

Determining which news sites are reputable and independent can also be tough. Some things to look for include:

When you read an article always check to see if it is labeled as opinion. Most reputable news sites will clearly label any opinion story.

You should also be sure the site youre on -- or the story you see posted or tweeted -- is from an actual news website. A large number of websites specialize in satire or spoof stories. The more reputable among them will clearly identify that their websites are providing humor rather than news. But some need a closer examination to get to the truth.

You also need to run any pictures or videos through your filters too. Both are easier than ever to fake. A few tips to help you:

Several online tools are available to help you verify a photos origins:

Are all quick and easy to use sites that allow you to track down a photos origin, where else its been used, and possibly the original photographer.

The final tips are two of the most important points. First, remember that finding the truth is ultimately up to you. Finally, you need to work hard to avoid being part of the problem. If you see something you cant be certain is true dont share it.

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Spot the fake so you can focus on the facts - WLWT Cincinnati