What are satirical news?

News satire, fake news, humor news or hoax news are types of news that are often mimic or parody of credible news source. Satirical news sites rely heavily on irony and deadpan humor, which unfortunately are increasing in acceptability and usually in virality. Twitter, the microblogging platform, while may help in disseminating important world news can often become the place where satire news are easily spread too.

Why do they spread like wildfire?

Satirical news are increasing in popularity and acceptability and unfortunately at times taken seriously. Below are just three of the main reasons why.

1. Funny
Simply put, satirical news contain humor and people who find it funny are often automatically impressed to share it wit their friends and their friends in return share it with those in their network which makes virality for these hoax news sites come easily.

2. Confirmation of what we want
Let’s face it. We love to share ideas that we agree on. Unconsciously, we may find ourselves sharing or “liking” a published and concrete expression of what we want to read, see and believe. Sometimes, its the kind of news we want to know.

3. Lazy searching
Most people that browse online do not really seek for hardcore news and simply wish to be entertained. Humor sites give them exactly what they’re looking for. People no longer see the need to verify sources but simply work on their instincts and that is to share something they love and enjoy to read. Common sense simply is not too common nowadays.

How to catch a hoax?

1. Review related articles
Determining whether a news is hoax or simply a news satire requires checking the entire site for other related articles and see the tone of writing if the site has been consistently publishing reliable or simply humor news.

2. Compare with other sources
Counter-checking the source with other sources and preferably those with related and more reliable sources will help you verify whether the news is true or not.

If a lot of people take the news seriously and deem it to be credible, you may want to refer them to more credible sources and it also helps to be aware of the Top 10 Websites for Fake News & Satire.

Be vigilant and don’t just simply believe in everything you read. Think before you share.