Getting the Lowdown on Fake News
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The document discusses the nature of news, the rise of fake news, and its implications on public opinion and journalism ethics. It outlines the characteristics of fake news, including two main types, and provides guidelines for identifying it. The prevalence of fake news on social media is emphasized, along with the responsibility of journalism to provide accurate and verified information.
Getting the Lowdown on Fake News
- 1. The REAL Deal on FAKE News By Tess Bacalla Training Director, Philippine Press Institute
- 2. What is news? A report of recent events Merriam Webster Dictionary
- 4. News values (determine news worthiness) Proximity Timeliness Human interest Impact Prominence
- 6. The elements of journalism By Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel
- 7. The elements of journalism Its first obligation is to the truth Its first loyalty is to citizens Its essence is a discipline of verification
- 8. “Journalism … is more than providing an outlet for discussion or adding one’s voice to the conversation. “Journalism carries with it a responsibility to improve the quality of debate by providing verified information and intellectual rigor. A forum without regard for facts fails to inform and degrades rather than improves the quality and effectiveness of citizen decision-making.” The Elements of Journalism
- 9. What has become of the news as social media sharing, eyewitness accounts (citizen journalism), and online news startups (e.g., Buzzfeed) become the norm?
- 10. Main source of news today In the U.S., 60% of Americans get their news from social media, WHERE FAKE NEWS AND HOAXES PROLIFERATE
- 11. What is FAKE NEWS? WHAT: Stories that are not true, which are deliberately spread or shared HOW: Mainly through Internet-based media, or online platforms WHY: To mislead others, often for dubious political agenda
- 12. “Phivolcs to Batangas residents: No tsunami after quake”
- 13. “False alarms are absolutely unnecessary in times like this; the scenario itself is already quite scary, and people should not be stampeded into panicked actions by baseless, irresponsible reports that may only add to potential disorder in the aftermath of calamity.” Editorial Philippine Daily Inquirer, April 8, 2017
- 14. FAKE NEWS Manipulation of public opinion Distortion of reality Unwarranted polarization
- 15. Two kinds of FAKE NEWS 1. False stories that are deliberately posted online even if the person writing them knows that they are fabricated. 2. Stories that may have some truth to them, but they're not completely accurate. This is because the people writing them … don't check all of the facts before publishing them, or they might exaggerate some of them. BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/38906931
- 19. FAKE News is real with serious, even fatal, consequences “On 4 December, a North Carolina man opened fire at the Washington pizzeria Comet Ping Pong, which an online conspiracy theory purports to be the headquarters of a child sex ring run by Hillary Clinton.”
- 20. Spot the difference (How to spot fake news): Check the source. Does the website look genuine? • ABCnews.com.co • Has the story been reported anywhere else • Is it on the radio, TV or in the newspapers? • Have you heard of the organisation that published the story?
- 21. Other easy steps to identifying fake new Do a visual assessment — Assess the overall design. Fake news sites often look amateurish, have lots of annoying ads, and use altered or stolen images. Overall, does the news article and website seem high quality? Check the About Us section — Does the site provide detailed background information and contacts? ProQuest
- 22. Other easy steps to identifying fake new Identify the author — Fake news articles often don't include author names. Does the article have a trusted author? Identify the Central Message — Read the article carefully. Fake news articles often push one viewpoint, have an angry tone, or make outrageous claims. Does the article seem fair, balanced, and reasonable? ProQuest
- 23. Other easy steps to identifying fake new Assess Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation — Does the article have proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation? Find Other Articles — Search the internet for more articles on the same topic. If you can't find any, chances are the story is fake. Are there multiple articles by other news outlets on this topic? Turn to Fact Checkers — FactCheck.org, Snopes.com, PolitiFact.com are widely trusted fact-checking websites. ProQuest
- 24. Coopting of ‘fake news’ by politicians “Duterte spokesperson: NY Times sounded like a paid hack”
- 26. FAKE NEWS “This is the first time this sophisticated political propaganda machinery has been used in the Philippines.” — Maria Ressa, Rappler
- 28. Just facts. No alternatives.