* Is it a reputable news organization?

* Is the author credible?

* Does the story have any references or sources?

2. Look for bias.

* Is the story slanted in one direction?

* Does it use emotional language or hyperbole?

* Be wary of stories that seem too good to be true or too outrageous to be believable.

3. Check the facts.

* Can you verify the facts in the story?

* Do other news organizations report the same story?

* Be skeptical of stories that are based on a single anonymous source.