How does education help fight propaganda, misinformation and fake news?

Propaganda, misinformation and fake news have become a great problem today. It’s not only the naïve and uneducated who can be taken in.

Just because students today have grown up in the digital age and use mobile devices with ease doesn’t necessarily mean that they know how to detect fake news. 

What they see online can shape how they see the world and influence their well being. It is important for them to know how to look out for fake news. This is why many colleges are currently introducing lectures about online disinformation in different curricula. 

What is fake news?

People may create or share misinformation because they really believe it is true. Their intent is not to create harm.

Disinformation is different because it is deliberate, and its purpose is usually to spread fear and suspicion.

Examples of misinformation and disinformation include hoaxes and scams. News delivered from a certain point of view may rely on propaganda and opinions rather than facts.  

●      Fake news: False news stories about what’s happening in the world are commonly referred to as ‘fake news.’

●      Deep fakes: Videos are edited to make it look as though people in them are saying or doing certain things they didn’t actually say or do. 

●      Fake news memes: Memes are often used to spread fake news - reputable news outlets are highly unlikely to share news in a meme. 

A study by psychologists at the University of Massachusetts found that young people and old people alike have difficulty in replacing fake news with the correct facts.

Researchers have also found that students may use ineffective methods to decide whether to trust an information source. Not many of them will cross-check a source if it appears trustworthy to them. 

It is easy to spread fake news on any platform with communication tools such as social media, video-sharing platforms, forums, messaging apps and emails.  

Find a title for a fake news essay

With access to free essay samples about fake news, students can understand more about its true nature and impact on society. If they have to write an assignment about fake news, they can find a title for a fake news essay on EduZaurus online. This online service offers many free examples of essays that cover a wide variety of topics.

Real world examples

When instructors teach students about fake news, it’s important to present them with real-world examples. Instructors may ask students to find a piece of disinformation and write a paper on how they know they can’t trust it. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was much medical misinformation going around.

For example, there was a story circulating on social media that garlic could cure Covid-19. Political misinformation, such as the idea that an election was stolen, can destabilize a democracy. 

Teach students how to think instead of what to think

High schools do not generally teach students much about how to think, but at college, this is extremely important. They need to see examples of how their own preconceptions and biases can influence their thinking.

If they hope to make good arguments in essays, they have to present opposing views and draw evidence-based conclusions. Studying at college is more about teaching them how to think instead of what to think.  

Lessons to teach students 

Students need to learn that they shouldn’t share online content if they have any questions about it.

They should always check whether the source is a reputable one and use other news or fact checking websites to cross check the facts.

They should find out more about the author of the content, check the date when something was written and think about whether their own beliefs could be affecting their judgment. 

Students need to realise that online platforms will show them other content based on what they view and like. They need encouragement to look at a range of different resources and access various sources of information, even those with opposing viewpoints.

They should always check where the information in a story comes from by checking links and named sources. 

Conclusion

Tackling the problem of propaganda, misinformation, and fake news isn’t easy. It starts by increasing students’ awareness and helping them to identify misinformation when they come across it.

If they can begin to see their own preconceptions and check information more thoroughly, they are less likely to be taken in by fake news.  

Author’s bio

Emma Rundle has written several books that touch on very sensitive issues that prevail in society.

From racism to gender equality and student loan to immigration, she knows her topics amazingly well, and this enables her to impress her audience. She’s currently writing a book on how colleges can tackle gender inequality issues.