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The conversation surrounding misinformation, fake news, and fact-checking is constantly evolving. As changing technology changes the way we take in information, new cultural and ethical considerations arise. Here is our weekly round-up of recent readings, podcasts, and other media that addresses the latest issues in fact-checking.
What We’re Reading:
- From Forward: What really happened on Juneteenth
Popular belief says that Juneteenth commemorates the day that enslaved African Americans in Texas were finally told that slavery had been outlawed two years before. Historians point to numerous accounts that say this is inaccurate: Enslaved people knew they were free, but, as the article states, slaveholders continued to enforce bondage through violence and brute force.
- From AP News: AP says it will no longer name suspects in minor crimes
The Associated Press announced it would stop publishing the names of people charged with minor crimes, based on the understanding that these stories endure on the internet. This makes it hard for people to move on with their lives, regardless of a guilty or innocent verdict.
The BBC has compiled the most highly circulated misleading claims regarding Ethiopia’s upcoming parliamentary elections.
Squash is a new program that fact-checks statements on live television. It’s making strides, but it still has a long way to go.
- From The Columbia Journalism’s The Existential Issue: A day in the life of the news
One reporter asked six people to log their news consumption over the course of one day, to understand their habits. All six participants shared a similar degree of distrust towards the news, but they all interpreted the same stories differently.
- From Science X Daily: A simple nudge isn't enough to tackle fake news, but these tactics could help
A common solution to keep people from sharing fake news is to use “nudges” or subtle signals to remind people to be vigilant about what they’re reading. A recent study suggests that the problem with fake news isn’t only that people aren’t paying enough attention or thinking critically enough, but that there are other reasons, such as political motivations.
What We’re Listening To:
- From RTÉ: The Truth Matters Podcast
Radio Television Ireland has released a new four-part podcast on issues of misinformation. They interview numerous experts on media literacy about how to talk to friends about conspiracy theories, and why the infodemic matters.
