How to spot fakes: Celebrities who were victimized by fake news sites

Gary Ann  Lastrilla

<img src='' alt='053117-FakeNews_Pushpins.jpg' width='600' height='435' align='center' border='0'> According to the 2002 movie Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility.” This is especially applicable to this day and age where almost everyone has access to the Internet – a tool that can turn even an anonymous couch potato powerful. And when we say such, we mean that netizens have access to a wide range of free yet sometimes unverified information, as well as have the power to post something that may or may not be true. Take for example are fake news sites that deliberately and maliciously post incorrect information about celebrities. As such, The Voice Teens coach ‘Megastar’ Sharon Cuneta was recently victimized by fake news. While she is busy taping for the singing competition, she was reported admitting that she has HIV. <img src='https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/00-2017/05-May/053117/PUSHPIN/053117-FakeNews1_pushpin.png' alt='053117-FakeNews1_pushpin.png' width='506' height='652' align='center' border='0'> However, a quick look at her Facebook page will reveal that she is having a wonderful time enjoying her work. <center><iframe src='https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSharonCunetaOfficial%2Fposts%2F10154836932252515%3A0&width=500' width='500' height='644' style='border:none;overflow:hidden' scrolling='no' frameborder='0' allowtransparency='true'></iframe></center><center><iframe src='https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSharonCunetaOfficial%2Fposts%2F10154834717237515%3A0&width=500' width='500' height='684' style='border:none;overflow:hidden' scrolling='no' frameborder='0' allowtransparency='true'></iframe></center> Likewise, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach was also victimized by fake news. <img src='https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/00-2017/05-May/053117/PUSHPIN/053117-FakeNews2_pushpin.png' alt='053117-FakeNews2_pushpin.png' width='506' height='569' align='center' border='0'> By the way the first paragraph of this article was written, one can already conclude that it is unreliable. First of all, there was no date as to when this happened or was this published. Secondly, why did it not name the Malaysian TV (we assume they meant either ‘TV show or station’) that reported such? This also happened to Filipino boxer and Senator Manny Pacquiao. Now this is where it gets interesting, fake news said that he resigned from his post as senator… of Sarangani province. <img src='https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/00-2017/05-May/053117/PUSHPIN/053117-FakeNews3_pushpin.png' alt='053117-FakeNews3_pushpin.png' width='528' height='647' align='center' border='0'> Here, we learn another lesson in spotting fakes. Look at the details. Are they coherent with real life? How about the grammar? Without media awareness, one could simply fall victim and believe in fake news as these are often made to be convincing. Hence, it is important to check on the website’s credibility first. Also, check known and reputable news organizations. Did they also report about it? In this digital age, it is almost impossible for these popular figures to not have their own social media accounts to connect with people. Be smart enough to counter-check the information with them. Do they look like what the news was trying to say about them?

Take for example are fake news sites that deliberately and maliciously post incorrect information about celebrities. As such, The Voice Teens coach ‘Megastar’ Sharon Cuneta was recently victimized by fake news. While she is busy taping for the singing competition, she was reported admitting that she has HIV. <img src='https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/00-2017/05-May/053117/PUSHPIN/053117-FakeNews1_pushpin.png' alt='053117-FakeNews1_pushpin.png' width='506' height='652' align='center' border='0'> However, a quick look at her Facebook page will reveal that she is having a wonderful time enjoying her work. <center><iframe src='https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSharonCunetaOfficial%2Fposts%2F10154836932252515%3A0&width=500' width='500' height='644' style='border:none;overflow:hidden' scrolling='no' frameborder='0' allowtransparency='true'></iframe></center><center><iframe src='https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSharonCunetaOfficial%2Fposts%2F10154834717237515%3A0&width=500' width='500' height='684' style='border:none;overflow:hidden' scrolling='no' frameborder='0' allowtransparency='true'></iframe></center> Likewise, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach was also victimized by fake news. <img src='https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/00-2017/05-May/053117/PUSHPIN/053117-FakeNews2_pushpin.png' alt='053117-FakeNews2_pushpin.png' width='506' height='569' align='center' border='0'> By the way the first paragraph of this article was written, one can already conclude that it is unreliable. First of all, there was no date as to when this happened or was this published. Secondly, why did it not name the Malaysian TV (we assume they meant either ‘TV show or station’) that reported such? This also happened to Filipino boxer and Senator Manny Pacquiao. Now this is where it gets interesting, fake news said that he resigned from his post as senator… of Sarangani province. <img src='https://push-data.abs-cbn.com/push/archive/features/00-2017/05-May/053117/PUSHPIN/053117-FakeNews3_pushpin.png' alt='053117-FakeNews3_pushpin.png' width='528' height='647' align='center' border='0'> Here, we learn another lesson in spotting fakes. Look at the details. Are they coherent with real life? How about the grammar? Without media awareness, one could simply fall victim and believe in fake news as these are often made to be convincing. Hence, it is important to check on the website’s credibility first. Also, check known and reputable news organizations. Did they also report about it? In this digital age, it is almost impossible for these popular figures to not have their own social media accounts to connect with people. Be smart enough to counter-check the information with them. Do they look like what the news was trying to say about them?

<img src='' alt='053117-FakeNews_Pushpins.jpg' width='600' height='435' align='center' border='0'> According to the 2002 movie Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility.” This is especially applicable to this day and age where almost everyone has access to the Internet – a tool that can turn even an anonymous couch potato powerful. And when we say such, we mean that netizens have access to a wide range of free yet sometimes unverified information, as well as have the power to post something that may or may not be true.

How to spot fakes: Celebrities who were victimized by fake news sites | PUSH.COM.PH