Okay, this is probably the hardest step. It requires a little more digging. If an article provides a video clip, find the original video and watch the whole thing. Think about what happens before and after the clip to see if the article’s reporting using the clip is an accurate representation of the intent of the original video. Do the same for research papers, news coverage, or other resources mentioned in articles. Remember, you’re trying to judge the accuracy of the representation of the original resource in the article or video you’re SIFTing.
Fake news (and misleading academic articles) often incorporate snippets of other media taken out of context. Find the sources of included media, quotes, and claims to get that context. Fake news will use small pieces of videos, audio recordings, quotes, official statements, etc. to make a specific point that is not accurate to the original piece of evidence. If I provide a hypothetical statement about a situation with which I disagree in a larger speech about my actual beliefs, fake news can take my hypothetical out of context and present it as my beliefs.
For example...
(For context, this clip comes from the beginning of the 2004 film Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. After a failed attempt to stop a museum robbery, the Mystery Inc. gang are confronted by a reporter. This clip comes from Fred's conversation with said journalist about the gang's failure.)