https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h Fake news resource! en-us 2021-07-05 21:37:00 UTC 2024-07-16 21:01:58 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f9d0.png doylemm https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637777125 Fake news stories are fabricated, with little verifiable facts, sources, or evidence. 

There are different kinds of fake news stories out there. Some stories are created as satire, and others are intentionally misleading.

Today, we are focusing on the fake news stories that are false but are presented as factual. ]]> 2021-07-05 21:39:32 UTC https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637777125 doylemm https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637781123 The proliferation of fake news has become an important issue. Major media outlets and news stations are driven primarily by profit and influence, leading to sensational stories. 

These sensational stories typically generate a strong emotional response from viewers, who share it with their own friends. Online sharing generates profit for the websites associated with the story. 

Watch the video below to learn a little bit more about the spread of fake news. ]]> 2021-07-05 21:45:00 UTC https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637781123 doylemm https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637786428 Everyone can fall victim to fake news stories if they do not think critically about where the information is coming from. 

People are more likely to fall for fake news if they are overconfident concerning their research skills and Internet searching. By developing media literacy skills, we can begin to think critically about the information presented to us.

Click on the link below to play a quick game to test your own skills at identifying fake news. ]]> 2021-07-05 21:53:53 UTC https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637786428 doylemm https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637787692 The first step to spotting a fake news story is considering its source. You should ask yourself if  this website or publisher has a reputation for spreading questionable stories.

Consider the author of the piece. You should research their previous work and qualifications. You can usually find information about the author and organization on the About Us page of a website.

For example, lets look at the About page on the website Infowars. Is there anything on this page that suggests this organization and author is credible and trustworthy?

What else can we do? We could look elsewhere for information on the author and media outlet. Click on the link below to view the Politifact profile for Alex Jones. Do you think he is trustworthy?

Credible fact checking websites such as Politifact can help you identify journalists, commentators, and personalities. ]]> 2021-07-05 21:56:00 UTC https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637787692 doylemm https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637787867 In addition to considering the authority of a source, you should also consider the reliability of the information found.

Reliability simply means that the information is true. You can determine the reliability of information by cross-referencing it. This is the process of going to other news sites and books to confirm that the information is true.

You can also conduct a source check. Articles should always list their sources. Sources should be knowledgeable on the topic.

Lets look at the article below, which discusses lifting Covid-19 restrictions in the UK.

Can you find sources within this article?

Click here when you are finished to read an additional article. Does this support it's reliability?]]> 2021-07-05 21:56:23 UTC https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637787867 doylemm https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637788118 When examining a source you should also consider the purpose of the piece. Is the article meant to inform you? Persuade you? 

Sometimes fake news is a type of propaganda. Propaganda is used to promote a particular political cause or point of view. 

Click on the link below to read more about propaganda. ]]> 2021-07-05 21:56:49 UTC https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637788118 doylemm https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637789356 Below is an example filmed by me which highlights the process of reviewing a news source. Click here to read the article.]]> 2021-07-05 21:59:03 UTC https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637789356 doylemm https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637789444 Cornell University Fake News LibGuide

Real or Fake Infographic

Pew Research Center: Misinformation]]> 2021-07-05 21:59:13 UTC https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637789444 doylemm https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637810432 Lastly, you want to consider bias as being a relevant factor when evaluating a news source. Bias is a strong inclination or an opinion about something or someone. 

Bias can twist stories in a way that pulls you into a direction of thinking that may not be a firm judgement on your part. Stories may present factual information but present it in a way that favors one point-of-view over another. 

The image below compiles news outlets and ranks them based upon their political bias/leanings. Consider where your source falls on this chart before using it. ]]> 2021-07-05 22:38:19 UTC https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637810432 doylemm https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637835027 Another topic to consider when evaluating a news source is currency. The timeliness of information matters. You should consider the date that your information was published, as information can become outdated or change. You should be able to tell when an article is published. It is most oftentimes underneath the headline.

Consider this article below about the pandemic. Would this be a good source to use for a paper about the current state of the pandemic? ]]> 2021-07-05 23:24:28 UTC https://padlet.com/doylemm/ww9vvw3mvnn2tw1h/wish/1637835027