In today's digital age, social media has become a breeding ground for misinformation and disinformation. It's increasingly challenging to distinguish fact from fiction, as narratives are often distorted or exaggerated to grab attention and generate engagement. The consequences of swallowing false information can be severe, from influencing elections to sparking violence. It's essential to develop a critical eye and fact-check information before accepting it as true. Here are some reality-checking tips: - Verify sources: Ensure the information comes from credible, trustworthy sources. - Cross-check facts: Consult multiple sources to confirm accuracy. - Be skeptical: Approach sensational or provocative content with caution. - Watch for bias: Recognize when information is presented with a particular agenda or perspective. By being mindful of these factors, we can effectively separate fact from fiction and make informed decisions. Let's take responsibility for our online interactions and promote a culture of truth and accuracy. The reality check starts with us!
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Today in the “common place” post for my “Disinformation in the Digital Age” course, I want to highlight a new framework for responding to disinformation. Camille François outlines the “three key vectors characteristic of viral deception” to help “guide regulatory and industry remedies.” She argues that manipulative actors, deceptive behaviors, and harmful content work in concert to fuel the proliferation of disinformation. This “ABC” framework is a promising tool to better understand disinformation. By exploring the who (actors), what (content), and how (behaviors) within a specific “where” (social media), it helps bring together different approaches to countering disinformation. Most importantly, it emphasizes the interconnected nature of these vectors and the necessity of a balanced approach that responds not just to harmful content, but also to the deceptive behaviors and manipulative actors that create and drive it. #Disinformation
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I attended a talk on: "Navigating Disinformation - Who Should We Trust? with Babita Sharma" at Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd this week, and returned with more questions than answers: 🤔 - Who decides what is disinformation? - The fall of trust in mainstream media, what's caused it and what's being done to repair trust? - A lot of the media space is bought, have we lost the narrative? - The dilemma of free speech V/s disinformation What I did take away and pointers that can help tackle disinformation: 📝 - Fact checking was traditionally done by journalists but now, we are individually responsible for checking and cross checking the news we consume - Depending on how complex your question is, always gather multiple perspectives to get the full picture - Think about the timing of your search. Your search results could be one sided if public emotions are heightened at a given time. Example, Stockport - Be aware of personalisation of information, always try different sources. Your social algorithm is designed to show you what you want to see. Try engaging with different content types to widen your social feed - Taking accountability, when you get it wrong, put your hand up and say you're wrong #NavigatingDisinformation #NavigatingMisinformation #InformationPersonalisation
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NAVIGATING THE NEWS: BALANCING SPEED AND ACCURACY IN THE DIGITAL AGE Social media’s speed comes at the cost of reliability, while traditional media values accuracy over immediacy. So, I think it is brilliant that traditional media organisations are increasingly having an online presence. This solves the problems mentioned above. Nonetheless, in this age of endless updates, discernment—the ability to separate fact from fiction and evaluate sources before rushing to judgment—is crucial to staying informed and avoiding misinformation.
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For those that want (or need) to know. It’s important to know, what you don’t know. “HOW NOT TO BE MANIPULATED” “In today's onslaught of overwhelming information (and misinformation), it can be difficult to know who to trust. In this column, Amanda Ruggeri explores smart, thoughtful ways to navigate the noise. Drawing on insights from psychology, social science and media literacy, it offers practical advice, new ideas and evidence-based solutions for how to be a wiser, more discerning critical thinker. There are many reasons why misinformation travels so quickly – according to some research, even faster than accurate information. One reason is that people are far more likely to share a claim when it confirms their pre-existing beliefs, regardless of its accuracy. This cognitive bias may help explain why even more misinformation seems to be shared by individuals than by bots. One study, for example, found that just 15% of news sharers spread up to 40% of fake news.”
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Is Distrust the New Norm for Online Information?🕵️♂️ Here's the TruTake: • Doubtful of Accuracy: Most people are skeptical about the accuracy of what they read online. • Curious for Others' Opinions: A close second, many want to know others’ thoughts before trusting new info. • Confident in Insight: Only a small fraction feel they’re getting exclusive or reliable information. 📉 Even expert sources aren’t fully trusted! Those who saw this coming share one bold view: “Expert sources are not enough.” Social media gives us access to unique insights—but it also fuels our doubts. #DistrustOnline #TruthInDoubt #SocialMedia
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POWER OF MEDIA BIAS We've all been there scrolling through our feeds or watching the evening news, thinking we're simply being informed. But what if I told you that even the most "objective" stories come wrapped in layers of bias? It's subtitle, like the background music in a movie shaping the narrative, nudging our emotions and influencing our opinions without us even realizing it. Media bias doesn't necessarily mean outright falsehood; it can be as simple as the tone in which a story is presented, the choice of words, or what is not said at all. It's the difference between calling someone a "protester" or a "rioter". In a blink of an eye the reader's perception shifts. As someone who works closely with media through my student journalism and design work, I've seen how it plays out. The danger? it's easy to fall into echo chambers where our worldview is constantly reinforced, blocking us from considering alternative perspectives. The solution isn't to mistrust all media. It's to consume consciously. Ask questions, cross-check stories, and mostly, stay curious. The more we challenge the narrative handed to us, the closer we come to the truth. Let's be mindful, after all, all information is powerful but only when we know how to navigate it.
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Has social media broken the stranglehold of mainstream media as the sole arbiter of truth? In many ways, yes. Social media has democratized information, allowing anyone with an internet connection to share their voice, break news, and raise awareness. This shift has empowered individuals, given voice to the marginalized, and sparked notable global movements in the recent years. But in this shift, we’ve moved from one form of control to another. What was once the centralized authority of traditional media(tyranny?) has given way to a fragmented, often chaotic landscape(anarchy?) where misinformation, disinformation, and echo chambers thrive. It feels less like the order of old, and more like a cacophony of competing narratives, all vying for attention. While social media has broken the monopoly of traditional media, it hasn’t replaced it with a more reliable or universally accepted source of truth. Instead, we’re left navigating a world of noise, where finding clarity is increasingly difficult. The question now is: How do we reclaim truth in this complex, fragmented reality? #Media #SocialMedia #Misinformation #Truth #DigitalTransformation #PublicDiscourse
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Avoid falling into a niche in the social media echo chamber. A wise person, a clear thinker will form their own opinions and see all sides of a problem, understanding that context matters and that there is no such thing as solutions but only trade offs. Part 3/3 Click on my profile to view the first 2 parts.
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“Everyone is biased — and that's okay. There's no such thing as unbiased news. But hidden media bias misleads, manipulates and divides us. So everyone should learn how to spot media bias.” This site is great; allowing you to identify different perspectives and political leanings so you can get the full picture and think for yourself. https://lnkd.in/ekjUc-sP
Media Bias
allsides.com
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We're seeing a broad shift in how media and audiences engage with online culture, exhibited by tech journalist Taylor Lorenz's departure from The Washington Post to launch her Substack, User Mag. Lorenz notes that outlets often cannot capture the fast-paced, nuanced world of digital creators, crypto scams, and gamer harassment—topics that shape culture and consumer behavior in real-time. As traditional media giants like Reuters and CNN adopt subscription models, it raises a critical question: Can they adapt to a creator-first economy? Today, content creators drive the conversation, set trends, and influence audiences much more personally than legacy outlets can often achieve. For example, on LinkedIn, the "creators" are the executives and leaders–sharing news, industry insights, company announcements, and more. No payment is needed to check out an executive's LinkedIn post, and users trust information from leaders like a news outlet. You can easily view someone's credentials and experience via the profile section, thus offering accessible and credible news. Additionally, users resonate with the people behind the companies rather than the outlets and brands themselves. It's not just about putting content behind a paywall–it's about fostering direct, authentic engagement. For legacy media to thrive in this environment, they should embrace the creator-first model, where authenticity, audience connection, and immediacy are essential. Without this shift, they risk losing ground to platforms and individuals more in tune with digital trends and consumer demands. What's your take—there's still a strong need for factual and credible journalism, but can legacy media adapt to a creator-driven future or will digital-first platforms continue to lead the charge? Read more in The Wall Street Journal:
Reuters, CNN Become Latest Outlets to Make You Pay for Digital News
wsj.com
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French Language Consultant at Self Employed
4moI agree!