Literacy against fake news
Juliana Frigerio
Global Education Strategist | Expert in International Educational Ventures
The digital era has brought us an overabundance of information. And a lot of misinformation. Everything happens very fast, and everyone wants to say something about everything. We have all heard about the consequences of disinformation, also known as fake news.
Fake news has always existed; no matter how hard we try to create fact-check solutions, it will not cease. Therefore, the best way to combat it is to educate ourselves, our children, and our students about the topic.
What is the concept of fake news? Hard to say. Many political, social, and linguistic scientists seek to define the ultimate meaning, but for this article, we will stick with the most general definition, in which fake news equals misinformation.
And why does fake news arise? Because when someone writes something, there is an intention, whatever it may be. It can be to make money (in the case of clickbait), for political activism, or simply for witticism. While disinformation is nothing new, the problem lies in the target. Social media algorithms decide what you will read. There is no more autonomy; we think we have the power of choice, but we only choose from the options we are given. The best way out is to use critical thinking and not believe everything that appears on timelines.
Therefore, educators are responsible for teaching students literacy.
One tool that will help introduce both children and adults to literacy is SIFT - an acronym for Stop, Investigate the Source, Find trusted coverage, and Trace to the original, from Mike Caulfield, Director of Blended and Networked Learning at Washington State University Vancouver.
STOP: Verify the website and source's reputation before reading or sharing media.
Investigate the source: The key to understanding what you read is knowing the expertise and agenda of the source beforehand.
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Find better coverage: When researching a claim, look for reputable sources and check multiple websites, podcasts, and YouTube channels. Verify the information with regulated sources.
Trace claims, quotes, and media back to the original context. Much of the information on the internet lacks context. To verify the accuracy, trace claims, quotes, and media back to their sources to view the original context.
Other online tools are dedicated to fighting disinformation that anyone, including in the classroom, can easily access. They are:
Media education is the only way to stop the cycle of spreading fake news. By sharing content without reflection, we contribute to spreading misinformation. Teachers should include the SIFT tool in their class every possible time, finding facts related to their subject and asking students to find evidence of truth or false statements. In doing so, we develop students' ability to read, understand and analyze information, as well as to produce ethical and quality communication, skills that are essential today for the exercise of citizenship and the qualification of Future Thinkers. On the other hand, we also need to demand a more active attitude in controlling and tackling this very harmful phenomenon from governments, universities, and media outlets.