Here’s how journalists spot deepfakes

In an era where misinformation, including AI-generated deepfakes, spreads rapidly, reputable news organizations like The New York Times and Bellingcat employ rigorous verification procedures. Journalists look very closely at images for subtle visual inconsistencies, even if older methods like counting fingers are less reliable. They also critically consider the source's reputation and account age, sometimes publishing content only in context (like a screenshot of a social media post) to maintain authenticity standards. Digital footprint checks, using reverse image searches (like Google's or Yandex's) and metadata extraction, help debunk images recycled from unrelated events. Furthermore, establishing the date and location using satellite imagery, maps, and shadow analysis (via tools like SunCalc) is crucial. Experts emphasize that authenticity relies on honest provenance and context, not just perfect pixels, urging the public to remain vigilant, pause before sharing emotional content, and cross-check information with multiple independent sources.

(Source：The Verge)