Journalists use lateral reading to fact-check by broadening their knowledge. But what is it, how does it differ from normal reading, and what are the benefits?
This guide is based on the article Lateral reading which we recommend you read before applying the checklist below.
Lateral reading is an important skill that helps journalists move beyond what they see on a webpage (or any other information) and instead discover the facts by looking at what other reliable sources say about the same information.
Lateral reading for fact-checking
- [ ] Move away from the original page: Do not spend all your time analysing the website you are currently on. Instead, open new tabs in your browser to search for information about that site.
- [ ] Investigate the source of the information: Look up the name of the organisation or the author. Use search engines or Wikipedia to see if they have a reputation for bias or if they are a respected authority.
- [ ] Check the About Us section with caution: Recognise that a website will always describe itself in a positive way. Use this section only to find names and affiliations that you can then verify elsewhere.
- [ ] Verify claims across multiple outlets: Search for the main facts of the story on other trusted news sites. If only one obscure website is reporting a major event, it is likely to be incorrect.
- [ ] Use professional fact-checking tools: Consult established services such as Snopes, Full Fact, or Reuters Fact Check to see if the claim has already been debunked or verified.
- [ ] Analyse the digital footprint of images: Use reverse image search tools like Google Images or TinEye. This helps you find the original source of a photo and see if it is being used out of context.
- [ ] Be wary of emotional language: Notice if the article uses words designed to make you feel angry or scared. Professional journalism usually relies on neutral, factual language rather than ‘loaded’ terms.
- [ ] Check the publication dates and timestamps: Ensure that a story or a social media post is actually new. Sometimes old news is recirculated to make it look like a current event.
- [ ] Look for official documentation: Wherever possible, try to find the original report, government document, or data set that the article mentions to see if the facts have been twisted.
- [ ] Evaluate the evidence provided: Ask yourself if the source provides links to external evidence. If a site makes big claims but only links back to its own previous articles, proceed with caution.
Summary
Lateral reading is about looking ‘sideways’ rather than just reading ‘down’ a page. By opening multiple tabs and checking various sources at the same time, you can quickly spot misinformation. For a new journalist, mastering this technique is a core step toward ensuring your reporting is accurate, fair, and professional.
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