Evaluating Online Information--Fact or Fiction?

Anyone with a computer and Internet access can become an electronic publisher, disseminating information to a global audience. While this new medium explodes with information, it also poses a vexing problem: What is the quality of the information? Just because a document, article or post appears online doesn't mean it contains accurate or reliable information. In fact online information demands closer scrutiny than for print publications.

Newspapers, magazines and professional journals have a long tradition of journalistic standards to which they are held. Although many writers and publishers adhere to these standards when publishing on the Web, many don't. It's up to you to cast a critical eye, sorting fact from fiction, actuality from opinion. Whether you are reading a printed article or an electronic one, a healthy dose of skepticism is in order.

Why is this important? The Internet abounds with all sorts of information, but unless you can be reasonably sure of its source and accuracy, be wary. One example that made international headlines involved Pierre Salinger, a former correspondent for ABC News. He claimed to have information that TWA Flight 800, which crashed after takeoff from New York's Kennedy airport, was shot down by a U.S. Navy missile. In fact he obtained his information from a posting on an Internet newsgroup. Although the document contained great technical detail, there was no hard evidence to back up the allegation. In fact, this "information" had been circulating on the Net for months before Salinger "discovered" it. He made the mistake of accepting gossip as truth, which proved to be professionally embarrassing.

While embarrassment is rarely fatal, more serious consequences can result from following medical or legal advice posted in blogs or on websites. While someone may be well-meaning in offering the information, can you trust it? Is this person a doctor, a lawyer or just an opinionated individual? Is the website affiliated with a reputable professional organization, such as the Mayo Clinic or American Bar Association, or some fringe group?