To help protect social media users, as well as the public in general, from being fooled by fake news, let me share my observations concerning this matter.
Chances are, it is fake news when:
1) There is no byline or dateline.
2) Statements cited are not attributed to verifiable sources.
3) The text contains grammatical errors.
4) Articles or news reports are not carried by reputable and traditional or mainstream media outlets.
5) Reports appear mostly in social media and are written by dubious and unscrupulous persons or pseudo-journalists.
6) Headlines are either erroneously written or poorly crafted and misleading.
Let us bear in mind that the main purpose of fake news is to disseminate misinformation and disinformation.
MELCHOR AMADO JR., melamadojr@aol.com