“With the spread of rumors and the distortion of facts, the boundary between true and false has become blurred.…In this deluge of information, we need more reference points and more rational thinking. And that is why media and information literacy is such a key skill for the education of 21st century citizens.”
Audrey Azoulay UNESCO Director-General
https://www.unesco.org/en/weeks/media-information-literacy
HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Ten Questions For Fake News Detection
Adfontes Media Bias Chart- independent research group that evaluates news groups for political bias and information presentation
Allsides Media Comparison- media aggregate that combines various news outlets to identify different perspectives
Activities:
Spot the Troll
Disinformation Nation- try the propaganda quiz and learn which techniques are likely to affect you
News Literacy Project Quiz: How News Literate Are You?
Fact Checkers:
Factcheck.org / Scicheck (Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania)
“Nonpartisan, nonprofit, consumer advocate for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in American politics”
SciCheck focuses on false and misleading science claims.
Reuters Fact Check (International News Group)
The principal aim of this unit is to fact check visual material and claims posted on social media. (Search feature is tricky to find, click on hourglass next to “My View”)
MediaWise (Poynter Institute, Florida)
Virtual newsroom aimed at teen consumers who use social media. Also runs “Is This Legit?” YouTube series
Snopes
Fact checker for pop culture, urban myths, social media rumors and more.