In search of the truth in Media –

by | Jun 21, 2020 | Uncategorized |

Like some of my friends, I have shared on FaceBook what I thought was real information – and been dismayed when I later found out it was false So, when I saw a webinar on “How to Track Misinformation” organized by The Womens March (womensmarch.com) and Media Matters (www.mediamatters.org), I signed up.

In the remaining time before the US election we can expect it to be the season for misinformation, disinformation and bias. I just read that this river is in full flood!

It will take me a while to cultivate the habit of asking the questions, but it will be worth it. Have them taped up by my computer to help. Hope this will be useful for you, Here’s what I learned:

The speakers provided tools that will be useful for all of us who have questioned a news item, or shared a post that turned out to be untrue, or who are concerned about interference in our news/media, and in our domestic processes.

They raised the important questions:  “How do we incorporate best practices to monitor what we read? How do we use platforms to ensure that media elevate their reporting (truth) and also represent the voiceless.”

It is important to be able to identify:

  • Mis-information: inaccurate but not intentional, (e.g. the FB post supposed to stop FB from accessing the photos and other information in our accounts)
  • Dis-information: intentionally false information (e.g.“the pandemic is a hoax”)(Much relayed on Daily Wire by Ben Shapiro)
  • Media Biases: These shape which stories are covered, how they are covered, by whom, and what is said. The biases can be institutional and/or personal. (demonstrators are destroying property)(the media owner wants to curry favor or wants to influence a particular group, increase numbers of readers – instead of reporting truth)
  • Also, look for the following in Media:
    • Headlines that are too general and allow misinterpretation.
    • Reports are in passive voice.
    • Uncritically quoting police statements, which contribute and prime audience for misinformation.
    • Using reporters with no background or expertise in the particular topic.
    • Note! Beware of scripts that don’t say who is quoted, provide no links and are not quoted anywhere else

Important questions to ask ourselves: example the Covid 19 pandemic

  • Are there public health risks?
  • Who is hurt by the news piece? (audience, subjects, etc.)
  • Who benefits from this item? And its claims?

 Beware of  text with no links, no references, no sources.

Before sharing, ask yourself:

  1. What is the source?
  2. Is it too good to be true? Check on it. Even if it is something we want to hear.
  3. Is it reported elsewhere? (Google) Verify (see below for sources)

If it can’t be verified do not pass it on. If possible report it. Replace with verified accurate information

Examples of Misinformation, Disinformation, Bias:

  •  “Pundits” with no expertise in the particular topic are featured (aka “experts” but in what?).
  • Interviewers allowing rhetoric to go unquestioned – particularly with government “officials”
  • Selling stuff and ideas are benefits — to whom?
  • Blatant misrepresentation – doctoring photographs, using stock and false photos. (Fox News recently) . and Reporters at One America News who were recently instructed on the perspective that favors Trump to convey in stories and protects CEO’s business investments.  (This perspective may not correspond to individual reporters’  and interviewees’ perspectives)  Reporters’ perspectives different from CEOs treated with suspicion.  Thus stifling objectivity and viewers’/readers’ assumptions of objectivity in news reports.

How does information travel online?

  • Misinformation being shared.
  • Through a network of pages designed to distribute far and wide. (Daily Wire for e.g.)

Verification Sources: