Do you have what it takes to spot the fake news or the facts? While we must say no cheating in this quiz, it is important to note that Googling the answers might help you out elsewhere.
Below is a list of news headlines and it’s up to you to decide whether it’s fact or fake news. Get those journalistic caps on and let’s get cracking!
1. Australia's bushfire smoke will make full lap of Earth according to NASA
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, smoke from the bushfires on Australia's eastern seaboard is destined to reach Australia's western seaboard in the coming days. True or false?
It's actually true!
You can find the story here.
2. Iraq War veteran says Donald Trump Jnr. should join the military
On Veterans Day (11 November) in the US, Iraq War veteran Paul Rieckhoff criticised Donald Trump Jr. on his recent remarks, calling on the president's firstborn son to join the military to learn about sacrifice. True or false?
It's true!
You can find more on this story here.
3. Infrastructure funding siphoned for drought relief
The Federal Government has announced that they will draw out funding from infrastructure to put towards drought relief. True or false?
It's false!
The federal government has not taken money from infrastructure. The real truth is that funding for the National Disability Insurance Scheme has been "repurposed". The other real truth is that this was a story from two years ago. You can find the real story here.
4. The Greens caught blocking firefighters from back burning
A handful of state-elected members of The Greens have been photographed blocking firefighters from undertaking backburning in Grasmere. True or false?
It's False!
There have been no reported events of any Greens member blocking firefighters from backburning. In fact, The Greens state on their website that they actively support backburning, along with other firefighting measures. You can read that statement here.
5. U.S. President Donald Trump calls assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani fake news
In an extraordinary turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump has declared the assassination of Qasem Soleimani by U.S. troops fake news. After calling out his critics, Trump has stated the assassination was a terrorist act by Iran. True or false?
It's false!
The real truth is that U.S. President Donald Trump accepts the assassination as a direct response from intelligence in order to hinder war. You can read the real story here.
6. Queen pronounces grandson, “The Harry, Formerly Known As Prince.”
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has shocked the world by stripping Prince Harry of all his titles. True or false?
It's false
This headline is actually found in The Chaser, a well-known Australian satirical news magazine. You can read the hilarious and completely false story here.
7. “Let's accept that the climate has changed,” says senior Liberal Minister
In what punters describe as a complete backflip from the party line, a senior Liberal Minister has advocated for the acceptance of climate change. True or false?
It's true!
According to the ABC, Science Minister Karen Andrews said it was time to move on from ideological battles, which she said had robbed the nation of the time and energy needed to respond to climate change. You can read the story here.
8. New coal mine given go-ahead to destroy koala habitat
The proposed Shenhua Watermark coal mine in northern New South Wales will be allowed to relocate 262 koalas and destroy their natural habitat, the Land and Environment Court has ruled.
It's true!
You can read the full story here.
9. The Italian mafia is now accepting gay mobsters
The Italian mafia has reportedly opened its doors to gay men for the first time, as long as they don’t “parade” it in public. True or false?
It's true!
You can read the full story here.
