Since March, BBC journalists have been visiting schools across the country to teach students how to find out fake news. The visits have included up to 1,000 middle and primary schools. They follow a year-long study by BBC. The study found that nearly half of 12 to 15-year-olds find it difficult to tell fact from fiction on social media.

Fake news refers to news stories that you see on TV or the Internet that are partly or completely false. Some of the stories may have some true facts, but still include some lies. Fake news is sometimes created to get clicks and increase profits. Sometimes it is written to get attention or make people think in a certain way.

For example, a nuclear leak at the Fukushima power plant in Japan in 2011 caused an unexpected reaction in China. Fear buying of salt happened in many countries overnight after false news stories saying that iodized salt can protect against radiation. The stories added that sea salt produced in the future might not be safe to eat, as it could be polluted by the leak.

Fake news has had a bad influence on the media industry and society. It may influence public opinion and cause fear or anger. People may also lose trust in the media and become confused about realistic topic and events, BBC said.

Do you know if it’s false? Here are some tips for finding out fake news.

1. Check the information that comes from. Reliable sources include main stream media like CCTV and authoritative organizations like the United Nations.

2. Be careful about headlines. The headlines of fake news stories are often catchy.

3. Check the data. You can probably trust it if the numbers are from a national or international office report.

【小题1】What have BBC reporters been teaching students in the UK?

A．How to conduct surveys.	B．How to broadcast radio programs.
C．How to tell fake news from real stories.	D．How to write news reports for the BBC.

【小题2】Which of the following can be used to spot fake news?

A．Fake news contains many true facts.	B．Fake news always contains some lies.
C．Most of the news on the Internet is fake.	D．Fake news is the news that is completely false.

【小题3】Which is NOT the reason for fake news being created?

A．To make more money.	B．To catch people’s attention.
C．To get clicks from the readers.	D．To compete in the media industry.

【小题4】What can we infer from the passage?

A．BBC journalists also write fake news.	B．Fake news can cause social problems.
C．People have no trust in the media now.	D．Nuclear leaks in Japan didn’t influence China.