I just read that oil markets are being deliberately manipulated to drive prices higher and make the impact on the population worse. Before I share or act on it, I want to verify if it’s true.
What are your go-to methods or tools for fact-checking economic or political news? Also, which communities on Lemmy (or the wider fediverse) are best for this kind of thing?
Thanks for any tips!
I try to preface the information I share with my source(s) and what I think about it’s validity. I judge the validity based on the source(s) I get it from, how many different outlets are reporting the same, but maybe more important is the comment section. It’s always useful to see what other people, often smarter people, think about the article. Also, often multiple sides develop that can bring a more nuanced view. Keep in mind that most comment sections are echo chambers, and treat the comments as signals just like the statement the article is making. Nothing is true or false, it is just more or less likely
I mean, apparently the oil companies are reporting record profits. Doesn’t sound to me like they are suffering at all from their supply chain being disrupted.
They aren’t. Kuwait is the only oil-producing country that has no other export methods than through the strait of homuz. Even Irak has a pipeline through Turkey.
Ground.news is where to go
I’d start by getting a bit more specifics, as it is very difficult to prove/disprove very vague claims.
For example:
- Where did you read about it?
- Which oil markets are being manipulated?
- Who is doing the manipulating?
- Which population(s) is/are affected?
a mix of ground.news, snopes (although they seem less reliable after their sale), looking for sources to the claim (white papers), and or seeing if i know anyone with insight (their field).
and even then being cognizant and open for nee details… i’m aware there is probably some bias and or some propaganda to sort through.
godspeed
The people who fact check news for a living are journalists. They exist on a spectrum from dubious to trustworthy. You’ll have you find some that you like.
While it is possible today to check a lot of stuff yourself online, you can’t do it all. And if you are, you already are doing a journalist’s job.
