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EAPS 120: News literacy

News literacy

Fact-checking web sites can help you identify 'well-known' fake news stories, like a Facebook post that seems 'too good to be true', or a twitter post that is 'so outrageous.'  Our Statistics sources can also help you verify whether some quoted number is based in reality or not.  The video describes how fake news can propagate...why do you think 'fake news travels so fast, while the truth is still putting on its shoes?'  Do you agree or disagree with that statement? And, the About Fake News box provides some further reading, including current commentary on fake news.  

Fact-checking sites

How fake news can spread

Fake news and types

Fake news is not new. It has been going on for centuries. What’s new is the scale and how fast it can spread.
There is no standard definition of fake news. It’s become increasingly important in recent years and can also be known as:

  • Hoaxes
  • Click-bait to get clicks/ad revenue
  • Propaganda/ disruption
  • Satire
  • News sources bias and your own bias
  • Urban legends
  • Incomplete/Misused data

About fake news

Podcast on fake news