Not perfect and not always right but basically:
Is it a screen shot?
Is there a link?
Did you click/read the link?
Was it a real source (AP wire, local news, the original online post - not Fox, not the Sun, not NY Post, etc)?
Did you find any confirmation?
Did it strongly confirm a bias or suspicion?
Did it make you feel angry, smug, disgusted, superior, and/or helpless?
Is it important enough to you that you think it needs to be shared?
Do you have the energy, time, ability to research, confirm, and provide sources, links, and some additional clarifying details?
Generally I have this in mind, not necessarily always and not always observed, and I forget and blah blah. But it's a pretty simple guide to remember, and honestly items 1 and 9 cover me most of the time.
I am not immune to not checking hearsay either
















