{"id":1001,"date":"2020-11-30T00:00:58","date_gmt":"2020-11-30T05:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/scholar-speak\/?p=1001"},"modified":"2020-11-29T14:52:03","modified_gmt":"2020-11-29T19:52:03","slug":"information-literacy-in-a-world-of-fake-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.library.unt.edu\/scholar-speak\/2020\/11\/30\/information-literacy-in-a-world-of-fake-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Information Literacy in a World of Fake News!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Written by: Frances Chung<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As most of us are well-aware, fake news and unsupported claims are common throughout the internet and our social media feeds. Many fake news websites have been identified and consistently debunked, as listed on Wikipedia<\/a>, but still, attract regular readers. At the same time, social media platforms are experimenting with methods for creating \u201cfriction,\u201d so users take more time to consider a story before sharing (Bond, 2020). For example, Twitter labels misleading or disputed claims and in extreme cases, hides them behind warnings and requires users to add their own comments before sharing or replying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what does media and information literacy (MIL) have to do with fake news? According to UNESCO (2017), MIL \u201cempowers citizens to understand the functions of media and other information providers, to critically evaluate their content, and to make informed decisions.\u201d Therefore, an information literate person can better assess how credible a piece of information is and recognize its emotional appeals. As access to information increases, more schools and libraries are offering MIL education. Through the UNT Libraries, students have access to this Information Literacy Tutorial<\/a>, which also covers how to get started with a research project.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you come across a questionable piece of news, there are simple ways to determine if it is fake, from researching the source and author to looking further into the article and its sources. Satire is commonly published alongside real news or based on actual events, so if something seems unreal, it could be a joke. If you are unsure, ask experts such as librarians to help you find background information or suggest research strategies. Additionally, many websites specialize in fact-checking by cross-referencing sources and then rating statements on how true they are. Some popular ones are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n