Now, answer the following questions based on this video and the slide deck:
a) How has the invention of the internet led to information pollution?
Because when the internet was invented, everyone was given a voice and a way to spread their opinions, leading to misinformation and disinformation as well as factual information. This is/causes Information pollution.
b) Why is it hard to identify trustworthy or reliable information online?
Because anyone can spread whatever information they want; true or false, intentionally or unintentionally.
c) What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation? Provide an example for each (not mentioned in the video).
INFORMATION POLLUTION FALLS INTO TWO CATEGORIES …
MISINFORMATION is…. DISINFORMATION is … Unknowingly spreading false Knowingly spreading false information information that can cause harm to cause harm
Example: spreading a rumor someone Example: Creating a rumor to harm
else told you someone else
d) What is the ‘first step’ or questions you should ask to combat information pollution and become an informed citizen? You should ask yourself who made this? and why?
e) What is the difference between ‘Lateral’ and ‘Vertical’ reading of a news story?
Going to other sites to verify and confirm Staying and looking for ways to confirm the credibility of your story credibility by analyzing the text
What are the FOUR key questions in lateral reading? SPOT the fake news by asking … 1. Is this a credible source? 2. Is the perspective biased? 3. Are there other sources reporting the same story 4. Is the story timely?
Step 2: Watch “Introduction to CTRL-F with Jane
Lytvynenko and Mike Caulfield” and respond to the questions below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRxOoCYWqbQ&t=1s&ab_channel=CTRL-F
a) Jane Lytvynenko is a fact-checker for Buzzfeed News - what is her official job title? She is a Disinformation Reporter
b) What does her job involve? Identify THREE tasks she performs as a ‘fact-checker’. Investigates hoaxes and mis- and disinformation Tries to figure out who’s behind it all How the disinformation spreads and what the truth really is
c) What are some examples of misinformation provided by Mike Caulfield that he considers ‘harmless.’ Provide 2. A photo-shopped photo or fake bakes on TikTok.
d) What causes misinformation and disinformation to spread?
The spread of mis/disinformation is caused by our emotions, when we feel a certain emotion towards something (like a meme) we feel the need to share it with our friends and family.
e) What was Mike’s main message about how we should be evaluating information we see online?
Get off that page/photo and go out and see what other people have to say about it on the web and try to gain enough confidence to make the decision you need to make.
Step 3: Personal Connection
Have you ever shared a news story with a friend or family member that you did not verify, and it turned out to be false? This can even be something you saw on social media. Circle one. Y or N
How did it make you feel? Did the event cause you to change any of your habits? Y or N
Have you ever had someone share a false news story with you that made you emotional (either happy, sad, angry)? Y or N
