Our View: Don't be fooled

With April Fools’ Day earlier this week, there was more misinformation going around than usual.

Some of the stories were easy to spot as jokes right away. Others weren’t. The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office’s “press release” shared on social media about establishing High Wind Enforcement Zones sounded official enough to make some people question it. However, the parts about officers being able to issue citations for “obstructed windshield from rogue sagebrush or tumbleweeds” or officers using special equipment to identify “variable wind conditions ranging from ‘brisk’ to ‘snow hurricane’” may have tipped some people off. Another April Fools’ joke that almost got us, and did get some people, was the University of Wyoming sharing that Josh Allen announced his wedding would take place at the school. Some of those people are probably going to be disappointed when they look closer and see the “April Fools’” hashtag at the bottom of the Facebook post.

The origins of this holiday for practical jokes are thought to go back to the middle ages, so the practice of tricking people – hopefully in harmless ways – is nothing new.

However, in recent years, it almost feels like the holiday itself is the joke, since misinformation, scams, and “fake news” are making fools of many people all throughout the year. The rise of the internet means that almost anyone can say almost anything and pass it off as truth. The even more recent rise of Artificial Intelligence technology gives people the ability to make photos and videos that can use people’s images or voices to make them say and do things they’ve never actually said or done.

Perhaps even more troubling is the rise of unethical and inaccurate reporting from “media” and “journalism” sources. Much of this comes from the national level, but its impact is felt everywhere. More and more, people aren’t sure what they can believe or who is telling them the truth.

When it comes to April Fools’ jokes, the falsehoods are easier to spot. When it comes to verifying information you find online or articles you read from news sources, it’s important to take a few steps to make sure what you’re reading is true. A good place to start is checking the source of the information. See if you can verify whether the person writing it has credentials and experience to back up what they’re saying. Also, see if they cite their sources, and check those sources to see if they’re reputable. It’s also good to see if you can find the information verified anywhere else by another source. Also, always remember to check the dates on articles to see when they were written, which may affect whether they’re still relevant. Be aware of bias that may come through from the author. And watch out for things that seem too good to be true, because they probably are.

It can feel frustrating to be surrounded by misinformation. But if you rely on verifiable, reputable sources, and judge them with a little extra scrutiny, it can be easier to make sure you’re not being played for a “fool.”