University of Kwazulu-Natal

Strategies To Protect Yourself From Misinformation Avid Open Access

Bonisiwe Shabane
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strategies to protect yourself from misinformation avid open access

The following six action steps can help protect you from misinformation and disinformation. It’s probably not surprising that awareness is the first step in protecting yourself. In order to identify misinformation and disinformation, you first need to know what they are and what they might look like: Also of importance is understanding how these falsehoods can become threats to you, both individually and as a member of a larger society. Explore the AVID Open Access article, Understanding the Basics of Misinformation and Disinformation, to learn more. This action item also involves awareness.

If you are aware of how bad actors are trying to draw you in and manipulate you with disinformation, you can be on the lookout for potential deception. If you don’t know what to look for, it’s very difficult to notice misinformation, and it will be much easier to get fooled. To help you and your students develop the skills needed to identify disinformation, the University of Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab has developed an interactive learning experience called Bad News. This game-based activity encourages you to take on the role of a disinformation agent in order to raise awareness of their tactics. Find out about ten practical steps to identify disinformation, protect those around you and strengthen democratic resilience against manipulation. Disinformation is deliberately manipulated content, spread to deceive or fool an audience and achieve strategic, political, or economic goals.

It is often spread by malign actors who aim to undermine trust in democratic institutions or influence elections.Disinformation is dangerous for democracy because it distorts public debate, polarises society and hinders people's ability to... Here are 10 easy steps you can take to recognise and stop the spread of disinformation: Watch out for headlines designed to generate engagement without regard for accuracy. Look at news content beyond sensational headlines and prioritise substance over sensationalism. One of the best ways of working out whether something is disinformation is by paying attention to the kind of language it uses. Remain cautious of emotionally charged news stories, as they may be part of a foreign interference campaign designed to influence public opinion.

Deceptive language and vague assertions are also frequently used to mislead readers. Look for clear, emotion-free and evidence-based reporting. Includes Resources, Fact-Checking and Talking To Your Children When we can’t agree on what’s true, we can’t agree on anything. That’s why misinformation and disinformation (MDI) is so dangerous for our democracy – and why we all have a duty to combat it. In this guide, you’ll learn all about MDI: what it is, how to recognize it, and what to say to loved ones to keep them from falling for it.

What Are Misinformation and Disinformation? First, let’s define our terms, misinformation and disinformation, often combined into MDI. Based partly on recommendations from the European Parliament, here are some ways you can protect yourself against fake or misleading information. 1) Stay vigilant. Investigate beyond headlines and watch out for sensationalist titles. 2) Pay close attention to language.

Is the language biased? Does it provoke an emotional reaction? Is the reporting evidence-based? 3) Verify the source, including its mission and potential funding streams. 4) Fact-check and cross-check both written information and images and videos. You can use the Panitza Library resources to help you do this.

Through our subscriptions, we have access to dozens of reputable news sources online and you can avoid paywalls, while still using your own device. Contact the library if you need help with this. To listen to explicit episodes, sign in. Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates. In today’s episode, we’ll explore six strategies that you can use to protect yourself—and your students—from misinformation. For more information about this topic, explore the following AVID Open Access article collection: Become Information and Media Literate.

The Pervasive Threat of Misinformation and Disinformation in the Digital Age In an era defined by the rapid dissemination of information, the insidious spread of misinformation and disinformation (MDI) poses a significant threat to democratic societies worldwide. Misinformation, the unintentional sharing of false information, and disinformation, the deliberate propagation of falsehoods with malicious intent, have infiltrated every corner of the digital landscape, eroding trust in institutions, fueling social divisions, and undermining... The increasing reliance on social media platforms as primary news sources exacerbates this issue, as algorithms amplify the reach of MDI and echo chambers reinforce pre-existing biases. Distinguishing between misinformation and disinformation hinges on intent. While misinformation can stem from anyone who neglects proper research before sharing information, disinformation is often orchestrated by extremist groups or unethical organizations seeking to manipulate public opinion or sow discord.

The pervasiveness of MDI transcends political affiliations, impacting individuals across the ideological spectrum. Its roots stretch back centuries, with historical examples highlighting its role in shaping conflicts, bolstering authoritarian regimes, and manipulating public perception. However, the advent of ubiquitous social media has amplified its reach and accelerated its spread to an unprecedented degree. Protecting oneself from the deluge of MDI requires cultivating a critical mindset and adopting effective strategies for information verification. Lateral reading, the practice of cross-referencing information across multiple sources, stands in stark contrast to the passive consumption encouraged by vertical reading, staying within a single website. By consulting diverse sources and considering the credibility of each, individuals can gain a more comprehensive understanding of an issue and identify potential biases or inaccuracies.

Evaluating the source of information is paramount. Scrutinizing the background, motivations, and potential biases of the source helps discern the veracity of the information presented. A healthy skepticism towards information encountered online, especially on social media, is essential. Even self-proclaimed journalists should be vetted, as the lack of traditional journalistic training and ethics can contribute to the spread of misinformation. Beyond source verification, several cognitive biases can render individuals susceptible to MDI. Confirmation bias, the tendency to seek out information that confirms pre-existing beliefs, is particularly potent when coupled with strong emotions.

The narrative fallacy, a preference for compelling narratives over factual data, can lead to the acceptance of misinformation packaged as engaging stories. The halo effect, where positive attributes like attractiveness or confidence unduly influence credibility assessments, can obscure the deceptive nature of MDI disseminated by charismatic figures. Combating these biases requires conscious effort and a commitment to critical thinking. Prioritizing statistics and scientific reports over anecdotal evidence, fact-checking information through reputable sources like Snopes or FactCheck.org, and remaining vigilant against deepfakes, AI-generated media that convincingly fabricates reality, are crucial steps in mitigating the...

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