The conversation surrounding misinformation, fake news, and fact-checking is constantly evolving. As changing technologies change the way we take in information, new cultural and ethical considerations arise. Here is a collection of recent readings, podcasts, and other media we’ve highlighted from around the web that addresses the latest issues in fact-checking.
What We’re Reading:
- From AllSides: Unpacking Media Bias and Narratives Around Anti-Asian Hate
After eight people, including six Asian women, were killed in a shooting in Atlanta this week, there has been debate as to whether the media is accurate in tying the incident to rising patterns of racism. AllSides unpacks the issue from both ends of the political spectrum.
- From The Center for Countering Digital Hate: The Disinformation Dozen
New analysis claims that most disinformation about COVID-19 vaccines is perpetuated by only twelve social media users.
A new law came into effect on March 1st, which penalizes anyone "infringing on the reputation and honor of revolutionary heroes." At least seven people have so far been detained or charged.
- From The New York Times: What’s Behind the Fight Over Section 230?
Section 230 is a law that gives websites the right to assess what can and can’t be said on their platforms, without being legally responsible. Both Republicans and Democrats are wondering whether it gives tech companies too much power and too little responsibility.
- From The Washington Post: The threat from deepfakes isn’t hypothetical. Women feel it every day.
The author of a new book on misinformation writes about how women have been the victims of deepfakes for years, and how this online abuse is being increasingly weaponized.
Assyrian reliefs from around 700BC depict a staged lion hunt, used to establish a king’s power and greatness.
- From The New Yorker’s Shouts and Murmurs: ZAnon: A Higher-Ranking Anon Sets the Record Straight
A (fictional) insider called “Z” tells the truth about QAnon's claims. Among his new revelations are that Hillary Clinton is actually a CIA agent named Carmen San Diego, and the one way to protect yourself against 5G is to never look at the Internet again.
What We’re Watching:
- From Saturday Night Live: NFT’s
SNL’s most recent episode contains a sketch in which a group uses rap to explain NFT cryptocurrency to Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen.
- From AppleTV: Fireball: Visitors From Darker Worlds
The new documentary from legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog explores both the scientific and cultural significance surrounding meteors and the craters they’ve left at sites around the world.
Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
