MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION

What is MIS & DISINFORMATION?

MISINFORMATION: Inadvertently sharing false information without the intent of harm.

DISINFORMATION: Creating and sharing false information with the intent to harm

How to Spot Disinformation Online

  1. Read Laterally. When you are uncertain or suspicious about information, don’t waste time on it. Open other tabs in your browser to learn more about

    the source. Search for keywords on respected fact-checking sites.

  2. Check the date. Is the story old news? Sharing out-of-date information may not match current events.

  3. Cross-check information. Are reputable news sources reporting the same story?

  4. Read past the headline. What’s the whole story? Sometimes a headline doesn’t match the content.

  5. Question emotionally charged content. Disinformation intends to sow division by getting us angry or sad through images or memes.

Dos and Dont’s of Disinformation on Social Media

  • DON’T click or share. If you quote the bad information, you help spread it.

  • DO share accurate information. Without mentioning the wrong info, set the record straight by sharing the correct messages.

  • DON’T engage publicly. If someone you know is sharing bad info, message them privately & ask them to take it down.

  • DO report & block. Report inaccurate info to social media platforms, group administrators & election officials. Block users you don’t know who share mis or disinformation.

Fact-Checking . . . . . . . . . . . .

Do you need help determining what is fact and what is fiction? Here are some reliable sources that sift through the hype and fabrications:

  1. The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) www.poynter.org/ifcn/

    To be deemed compliant with IFCN principles, an organization must exhibit a commitment to nonpartisanship and fairness, standards and transparency of sources, transparency about their funding sources, transparency of methodology, and a commitment to open and honest corrections. Some of the verified signatories of the IFCN are:

  2. FactCheck.org is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that monitors the factual accuracy of what is said by major political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases.

  3. SciCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” focusing exclusively on false and misleading scientific claims made by partisans to influence public policy. It is the science arm of FactCheck.org and is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

  4. PolitiFact.com is the largest political fact-checking news organization in the United States. It focuses on evaluating the truthfulness of statements and claims made by politicians, making it a go-to source for political fact-checking.

  5. Snopes.com is an independent publication that does fact checking, investigates rumors and provides links to the sources that they use to reach their conclusions.

  6. T Verifica at telemundo.com/noticias/t-verifica is a Spanish language fact checking site from Telemundo. They monitor and debunk fake news and rumors that affect the Latino community in the United States. Their mission is to check the accuracy and veracity of the statements made by politicians, officials and other relevant figures in the public sphere.

Other Information Sources:

  • Ballotpedia.org. This is a nonprofit and nonpartisan encyclopedia of American politics and elections. It is designed to connect people to politics utilizing a neutral point-of-view philosophy.

  • https://www.michigan.gov/sos/faqs/elections-and-campaign-finance/election-fact-center. This is a State of Michigan-based website formed to provide Michiganders with accurate and truthful election information.

  • Media Wise Teen Fact-Checking Network (TFCN) www.poynter.org/news/tfcn/. Publishes fact-checks for teenagers, by teenagers. Learn from amazing kids!

  • Bad News - getbadnews.com. An online game intended to build user understanding of the techniques involved in disseminating disinformation by exposing players to fake news tactics.

  • News Literacy Project - newslit.org. The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan education nonprofit, is building a national movement to advance the practice of news literacy throughout American society, creating better informed, more engaged, and more empowered individuals — and ultimately a stronger democracy.

  • AP Fact Check - apnews.com/ap-fact-check. Focuses on fact-checking political claims and publishes “Not Real News: A Look at What Didn’t Happen This Week.”

  • Allsides – allsides.com. Allsides is a tool that gives the user points of view from the Right, Center, and Left. They rate the bias of both publications and individual articles.

  • PBS – A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy - Video. A video based on Richard Haass’ best-selling book "The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens." Hari Sreenivasan and Dr. Haass explore how Americans are working towards strengthening democracy and renewing engaged