Results: Don't Believe Everything You Hear, Don't Believe Everything You Read & Only Believe Half of What You See!
Published on 07/14/2018
False information is mainly distributed by social media, but circulation through the mainstream media is becoming more common, especially if it fits their agenda. The intent is to mislead in order to damage an agency, entity, person &/or gain in some way, typically financially or politically. Hostile proponents of political viewpoints across the political spectrum have been implicated in generating & propagating false news, particularly during elections & in the name of social justice. Because this spread of false news competes with legitimate news stories more & more once honorable journalists are taking part in a desperate need to stay relevant or because of pressure from their employers/viewers. Over time, the internet has become a willing host for plenty of unwanted, untruthful & misleading information that can be made by anyone & further distributed by everyone. Another issue in mainstream media is the usage of the filter "bubble" that has been created that gives the viewer, on social media platforms, a specific piece of the information knowing they will like it. Thus creating false & biased news because only half the story is being shared, the portion the viewer liked. The key is to illicit a strong reaction...anger, fear, outrage...whatever works. The more comments/shares they get the more the viewers drive & share their story...while they sit back making money on easily led people who have taken the bait. False news can generate a considerable amount of controversy & argument, to the point of mass hysteria. Deaths & injuries have frequently been caused when people have been physically attacked over false stories spread by the media. This issue has become such a problem that a new curriculum has been designed to teach critical reading of propaganda & the evaluation of sources. Called "media literacy", the course provides training in journalism in our new 24/7 breaking news society. The cartoon included (click on it for a better view) is from the turn of the century. Media manipulation isn't new. People have been complaining about bias & lies in the media since there was a media to complain about. The quote on the bottom left of it is still true today. It's up to the public to demand 'truth in advertising'. Whether or not you have ever been the victim of false rumors, getting the whole truth should concern you. You could be the next unfortunate person judged by your peers in the 'court of public opinion'.
QUESTIONS
GO to COMMENTS
Comments
1.
1.
Yellow Journalism is a term used to describe reckless & provocative news reporting. This style of reporting emphasizes sensationalism & lurid exaggerations over facts to attract readers & sway public opinion. It runs even more rampant through the internet, daring people to click on scandalous stories or shocking headlines with people rarely going further than the headlines, thus repeating rumors without checking the facts. The goal of exaggerating true events & in fabricating events that had never even happened is to make more revenue, in advertising &/or ratings. This type of journalism is neither professional or ethical. The results are a public that begin to distrust reporters, due to some who are obviously embellishing half-truths. Which of these traits of yellow journalism are you familiar with?
Generous usage of misleading or doctored photos.
43%
740 votes
"Scare" headlines printed in large type, despite the story being minor.
48%
829 votes
The writer being overly sympathetic with the "underdog" in the story & overly judgmental against "the system".
32%
550 votes
Using fabricated interviews, deceptive headlines, pseudoscience, false information, so-called "experts" & made up sources to pad a story.
47%
815 votes
Other (please specify)
2%
32 votes
Not Applicable
34%
591 votes
2.
2.
Clickbait is a modern version of false news. They are only concerned with generating revenue from advertisers. Once readers have followed the link, they will find some non-substantive or even completely false article that is surrounded by advertisements. These websites post articles that pair emotional content with blunt headlines to make readers want to read & share them. These pieces are simple, offering quick judgments on issues related to politics & culture. The articles themselves aren't concerned about being accurate. Readers are strongly encouraged to share these articles via their social media networks, where they often go viral. The sites then receive a kick-back from the money that they earn for their advertisers. Do you participate in any clickbait? Yes
7%
122 votes
No
93%
1598 votes
3.
3.
A troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people by posting inflammatory or off-topic messages in an online community with the intent of provoking readers into an emotional response, often for the troll's amusement & to feed their need for attention. Do you 'feed the trolls' (try to communicate with a person who is deliberately trying to incite chaos & cause a disruption)? I am a troll!
3%
51 votes
Yes
10%
166 votes
No
87%
1503 votes
4.
4.
Which of these recommended steps do you regularly take to establish the legitimacy of a news story? Check the writers to see if they are real & credible.
18%
313 votes
Assess the supporting sources to ensure they support the claims.
20%
340 votes
Consider the source to understand its mission & purpose.
36%
626 votes
Review your own biases to see if they are affecting your judgement.
17%
298 votes
Check the date of publication to see if the story is relevant & up-to-date.
28%
484 votes
Ask experts to get confirmation from independent people with knowledge.
9%
156 votes
Check various sources from different viewpoints to get all the possible facts.
31%
538 votes
Read beyond the headline & research further from various sources to understand the whole story.
33%
566 votes
Other (please specify)
2%
34 votes
Not Applicable
38%
657 votes
5.
5.
Have you ever been guilty of spreading false stories or rumors without any or all the facts? Yes
14%
237 votes
No
86%
1483 votes
6.
6.
What's most important to you personally when it comes to information? Getting only the truth, even if I don't like what I hear, read or see.
84%
1438 votes
Only hearing, reading or seeing what fits my own viewpoint.
16%
282 votes
COMMENTS