The HUFE method aims to help consumers of media products to deal with media in a responsible way. In four simple steps, the method teaches you to examine information in detail.
Initially, the HUFE method was derived from the “S.I.F.T. Method” by Mike Caulfield. Both methods take four simple steps and can be applied to any media product – newspaper article, movie, online game, or social media post.
The HUFE method calls for the more conscious use of media. It also aims to counteract the spread of disinformation.
HALT! (STOP)
Before you share any post, article or any media product… STOP!
Do you know the original source or who created the message? Through the Internet, content can reach a large audience real quick – regardless of whether it is accurate information or disinformation. Every time you forward a post, you spread the message. Therefore, check the next three steps to see if the message is worth sharing.
Given that manipulators aim to have their message spread, they want to generate a strong emotional response such as anger or shock. So before you hit share directly, remember: pause and review.
UNTERSUCHEN! (INVESTIGATE)
How trustworthy is the source?
Who passed the information on to you or where did you find it? Does this person or site pursue certain goals or support certain ideologies? How might that intention affect the neutrality of the information? Do some research to find out what others say about your source. A simple web search will often give you a good idea about the trustworthiness of your source.
FINDEN! (FIND)
Find established opinions on the subject and compare them.
Do other sources report differently? What do the majority of experts say? Compare facts and data and find out what information has been omitted or presented differently. The more sources you compare, the better you will be able to assess truth and perception.
ERKUNDIGEN! (TRACE)
Explore the original sources.
Does the post present statistics, links, or third-party opinions to support a position? Follow these paths and investigate the original sources. More often, data and testimonials are misrepresented or distorted. Whether a misrepresentation is a deliberate deception or is simply due to error – we don’t want to spread misinformation.
