How to avoid falling for misinformation
By Heather Kelly
The Washington Post
July 16, 2024
"Anyone with an internet connection can watch breaking news unfold in real time, or at least some version of it. Across social media, posts can fly up faster than most fact-checkers and moderators can handle, and they are often an unpredictable mix of true, fake, out of context and straight propaganda…
Know why misinformation exists
"Think about who would benefit from spreading confusing information during a news event… Propaganda is also used as a tool during armed conflict and can come through official news releases or feed through unofficial channels…
Examine your gut reaction
"If something feels too outrageous or satisfying, pause and do more research. Misinformation is often accidentally spread by people who want it to be true because it aligns with their viewpoint or values. The groups spreading it could be trying to rile up supporters or create more tension between people on opposing sides of an issue, or generally destabilize a population.
Slow down while reading or watching
"…You may not always be able to find an accurate version of events, especially in fast-moving situations. In those cases, wait as long as it takes for additional or confirmed information before sharing or drawing conclusions…
Seek out additional context about news events
"Misinformation often spikes before, during and after major news. Real-time news events will include a flow of disjointed information from the ground, such as smartphone videos and first-person narratives. Even if you see only legitimate posts, they can still be confusing or misleading — they may be the most compelling pieces of a puzzle, but they are not the whole picture... Mix in information from established experts on the topic, whether it’s foreign policy, cyberwarfare, history or politics…"
Shira Ovide and Geoffrey A. Fowler contributed to this report.
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