FAKE NEWS & INFORMATION on-line
By Akrivi Anagnostaki
“We are not just fighting an epidemic; we’re fighting an infodemic” T.A.Ghebreyesus, W.H.O. Director General.
Let’s take a look at the everyday reality: overloads of information, much still unknown, unverified “research” claims spread by digital media.
And we, the 2020 followers, as we learn more and more, we keep our knowledge base up and set the stage for disinformation and fake news.
How can we “protect” ourselves?
Getting anxious for answers to questions like how much at risk for COVID-19 we and/or our kids are, or who is more likely to spread the virus to whom, we unavoidably turn to information from digital media.
Is it easy to understand what information to trust?
Loads of miracle cures are promoted and we are subconsciously pushed to look for arguments that confirm what WE believe, rather than inform us of opposing arguments.
It is essential for our well-being to assess the truth of information on- line. And this is a skill we can learn! Media literacy can help us to understand different types of messages the media are sending!
How can we start?
Media Smarts in Canada has developed the “Break the Fake” program (mediasmarts.ca/break-fake). It offers four main skills for finding and checking the accuracy of information on-line.
For COVID-19 specifically, go to Check then Share (checkthenshare.ca), where concrete tools to find information from trusted expert sources are provided.
Enjoy! More to come!
adapted from “OECD Education and Skills Today”