Harms of Conspiracy Theories

Photo by: Getty Images Are conspiracy theories harmful to the makeup of media literacy? Conspiracy theories can manipulate information to grow a following on a topic or have people question the actual reality of a situation. There are possibilities that conspiracy theories are true, but there is a lot of speculation about spreading ideas around. …

Are Online Opinions Confusing Consumers of News?

In an age where anyone can post anything online at any time, and at little to no cost, it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish opinions and fake news from real news. Filled to the brim with unsubstantiated information that is accessible at the blink of an eye, the Internet has not only transformed how …

How to Define Fake News, Identify it, and Analyze its Proliferation

Fake News is a controversial term familiar to most Americans, but what exactly does it refer to? Image source: Stanford University News The term "fake news" is a widespread and politically charged buzzword, with its meaning often unclear. Most would probably be most familiar with the words "fake news" from the 2016 U.S. election, where …

The Importance of Media Literacy in an Age of Disinformation

We currently exist in an age of information. Most people today walk around with a device in their pocket capable of providing a near limitless supply of information and media. However, not all information is created equal and being able to determine what information you should be consuming is a critical skill. Thus, to help …

Media Literacy for Customized News

What is Customized News? Image from TheDrum.com We are consuming customized news everyday thanks to algorithms. Many of us may not even be aware of our customized consumption of news. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are social network platforms that deliver customized news, but they are not the only ones. Screenshot from Homepage of Apple News …

The problem with “Fair and Balanced” news

Major far-right news outlets are claiming objectivity, even as their stories are proven to be false. Image source: Gary Waters/Ikon Images/Getty Images I recently came across the National Journalism Center student internship program, whose mission is “to train aspiring journalists in the values of responsible, balanced, and accurate reporting.” The list of guest speakers, however, …

Is Media Literacy Just a Band-Aid Over a Larger Wound?

Media Literacy is a term that’s garnered increased attention in recent years.  As we are living in what feels like an era of misinformation, it makes sense. Many in liberal circles have called for increased media literacy education, so that students can learn to navigate the news with a critical eyes in the digital age. …

Deciphering Fake News

When we hear the words "fake news" in 2020, our minds often become hijacked by images of a large, orange haired man who spends more time on Twitter than any teenager we have ever met. However, fake news really boils down to something that is beyond unfavorable criticism of our Commander in Chief. According to …

The Issue with Media Literacy Creating Skepticism

"Fake news" has become a phrase heard by many on a regular basis. This increase in discussion of misinformation and disinformation has led people to search for ways to sort out what media they can trust. One proposed solution has been to teach media literacy, which encourages consumers to be skeptical of the information they …

Fake News, Free Press, and its Importance

Often today when we think of the term "fake news" or "free press", our minds lead us think about Trump and his many rants involving media literacy and the spread of fake news. There is however, much more to speak on in regards to the large presence of fake news in society and how free …