Digital deception Reading: Fake news – Navigating the maze of misinformation Read the text and use three colours to highlight: • what fake news is • who has an interest in spreading disinformation and • what can be done about it 1 Imagine this: You’re scrolling through your favourite social media app, and suddenly, you come across a shocking headline: “Giant Aliens Discovered Living Among Us!” Sounds unreal, right? But for some people, this could be their introduction to the bewildering world of “fake news”. Fake news isn’t just a buzzword. It’s misleading information or stories packaged as truth. These tales can span various topics: politics, health, entertainment and even sports. Unlike fictional tales crafted for fun, fake news aims to deceive, invoke strong feelings or twist perceptions. In our fast-paced digital era, such fabrications appear more and more. Behind every misleading headline, there is an intention. Some authors craft outrageous stories primarily for financial gain. More clicks often translate into more advertising revenue. Websites brimming with ads should raise your suspicions. However, not all misinformation is driven by financial motives. Many instances of fake news aim to influence public opinion. By generating emotional reactions, these pieces can subtly steer readers to adopt particular viewpoints or make specific decisions, especially in the context of political ideas. So, how can you keep a clear head amidst this storm of deceit? Always be sensitive about your sources. Authentic news outlets are known for their high standards and fact-checking mechanisms. Just because a story shows up on your social media doesn’t mean it’s true. Also, it’s essential to maintain a level of scepticism. If a headline immediately stirs intense feelings within you, take a step back. Often, such articles are designed to play on your emotions. And while the internet is full of falsehoods, it’s also home to valuable tools. Fact-checking websites can be your allies in distinguishing fact from fiction. Continual education is another safeguard against deceit. Familiarise yourself with the latest methods and mediums used to propagate fake news, be it manipulated videos (deep fakes) or crooked statistics. To wrap it up, fake news is more than just clickbait – it’s a challenge to the integrity of our information. By staying informed, critical, and proactive, we can ensure that authenticity triumphs over deceit. So, the next time you’re met with a headline about “Giant Aliens,” think twice and champion the truth. 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 Speaking: Organising a school wide media literacy workshop Your school has witnessed a rise in students sharing misleading information and fake news, leading to confusion and disagreements. The head teacher has called upon three student representatives to brainstorm and organise a media literacy workshop for the student body. By the end of the discussion, the trio should have outlined a proposal for a school wide media literacy workshop. This includes the workshop’s objectives, the proposed date, duration, key activities, potential guest speakers and how it will be promoted to ensure maximum participation. 2 The media literacy advocate Role: You went to a special class about understanding media and news. You learned a lot there. Goal: Share what you learned in that class and why it’s important. Think of fun activities or guest speakers for the school event. The sceptic Role: You’re the student who always checks if things are true. You know why it’s important to be careful about what news we believe. Goal: Share with the group why it’s bad to share fake news. Give ideas on how students can check if news is true or not. The influencer Role: You have many friends online, and you share lots of news with them. Once, you shared something that wasn’t true, and people got upset. Goal: Talk about what you learned when you shared fake news. Discuss how students can improve what they post online. 15 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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