By Navia Cienna 
Photo Credit: Anton Melnik/istockphoto
With modern technology, Americans now have countless ways to access information on critical topics. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook enable users to share and repost information freely. Consequently, social media dominates the political landscape, with 38.2% of Americans having unknowingly shared false information. The ease of access and rapid sharing puts individuals at risk of being misled by public opinions and inaccurate stories that spread quickly. However, this challenge can be mitigated by developing the ability to distinguish between fact and fiction.
The Spread of Misinformation
Fake news proliferates online in various forms. A common method is through misleading article headlines, often called “clickbait,” used by some media sources to attract viewers or push specific agendas. This approach leaves individuals vulnerable, as peers may share such content without verifying its accuracy. According to a study by Security.org, 56% of Americans publicly share political or news posts on social media, yet fewer than half verify facts before reposting. This issue is exacerbated when political candidates contribute to misinformation.
The 2024 presidential debate highlighted the risks of accepting information at face value, even from candidates. During the debate hosted by ABC News at Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center, both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris made statements that were later fact-checked.
For example, on abortion, Harris claimed, “If Donald Trump were to be reelected, he will sign a national abortion ban.” However, Trump previously stated on Truth Social, “My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both. Whatever they decide must be law of the land—in this case, the law of the state.” Trump’s statement suggests he supports state-level discretion over abortion rather than a national ban.
Similarly, Trump claimed that Harris and Walz support abortion “in the seventh month, the eighth month, the ninth month… and probably after birth.” This statement is misleading, as infanticide is illegal in the United States. While Harris and Walz did not specify the pregnancy stage at which abortion should be permitted, Harris stated during the debate, “I absolutely support reinstating the protections of Roe v. Wade. And as you rightly mentioned, nowhere in America is a woman carrying a pregnancy to term and asking for an abortion. That is not happening.” While Harris supports reinstating Roe v. Wade, her statements did not endorse infanticide, contrary to Trump’s implication.
On the economy, Harris asserted, “Trump left us in the worst unemployment since the Great Depression.” While unemployment did peak at 14.8% during Trump’s presidency due to the COVID-19 pandemic—its highest level since the Great Depression—this requires context. By January 2021, when Trump left office, unemployment had decreased to 6.3%. In contrast, Trump claimed that inflation was “probably the worst in our nation’s history.” According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the inflation rate in September 2024 was 2.4%. Historically, inflation peaked at 13.5% in the late 1970s and early 1980s during an oil embargo, indicating that inflation was higher in past decades. Both candidates made misleading claims, demonstrating the importance of fact-checking and using reliable sources to evaluate policies and statements.
Finding Reliable Information
To make informed decisions, it is crucial to understand how to identify trustworthy sources. Top-level domains (TLDs), such as .com, .org, and .net, are widely used but vary in credibility since anyone can register them. Verifying the authors’ credentials and conducting supplemental research can help ensure accuracy.
Sponsored top-level domains, such as .edu for educational institutions and .gov for U.S. government organizations, provide a more reliable starting point. For instance, the .gov domain is exclusive to verified U.S. government organizations, with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) overseeing registrations. Government websites like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Congress.gov offer credible data on employment, economic trends, legislative records, and policy information, enabling users to access primary sources.
Navigating Media Bias
Media outlets play a pivotal role in shaping public understanding of political events. While many Americans rely on Fox News and CNN for political news, both are often viewed as polarized, which can hinder an unbiased perspective. To avoid partisanship, individuals should seek nonpartisan sources that prioritize factual reporting. Filtering out biased content and examining multiple perspectives allows individuals to make informed decisions based on facts rather than undue influence from polarized narratives.