| Debunking, verification, and fact checking are often used interchangeably, sometimes causing confusion, but there are differences. Debunking is literally the act of exposing the falseness of a claim. From this point of view, while verification and fact checking is the process we use to inspect the accuracy of an information, debunking is like the final act. We might find an information to be true after fact checking it and then of course we can’t debunk it. Generally, when it comes to media literacy and critical thinking, one of the first practical tools against misinformation is fact checking and researching the same information from different sources. Its impact however is still subject to investigation. Apart from the studies supporting the necessity of fact checking, another argument beside it is that it is still a better option than regulating the rights of free speech. And as we arrive at the topic of free speech the discourse becomes really heated and politicised. While we can observe that traditionally the whole political spectrum agrees that misinformation and fake news are a real problem which had to be treated, none of them found a better solution which is acceptable for every party than fact checking. Below you will find a list of training activities you can implement with your class/young people with the purpose of gaining knowledge and abilities dealing with various aspects related to conspiracy theories. |
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What is a conspiracy theory?
The information bubble
Why do we believe in conspiracy theories?
Fact checking
What is critical thinking?
How to escape the rabbit hole?
Activity description
10 min
2. Once the news topic has been identified, the groups are instructed to find an article or video that reports this news topic on each of the following media channels:
· BBC News
· RT – Russia Today, Pravda
· Al Jazeera English
· Vox – Understand the News (Online Source)
· Fox News
· CNN International
The groups should choose 1 or 2 national news channels/portal from their respective country. (In case participants are coming from different countries they have to choose 1 or 2 national news channels\portal which they all understand and do not have to select one or two from each of their countries.)
10 min
3. The groups will review these news reports. Once all news channels have been reviewed, the groups will then make a list of what is similar and what is different in each of the media reports. Through a group discussion they will identify which media outlet they believe most, and which they think is ‘fake news’. They will then identify what the different ‘agendas’ are from the different media outlets, what sources were used in the media reports and if the group believes these are ‘credible’. Once the group has completed these tasks, and from a review of all they have read and seen from the various media outlets, as a group, they are required to write a short synopsis of the news topic, highlighting what they all think has actually taken place in this news story. At the end, they will have to present this to other groups.
In their presentation the groups have to outline:
· The news topic they chose.
· The media outlet which they thought was most credible and your justification for this choice.
· The media outlet that they thought was spreading ‘fake news’ and their justification for this.
· The synopsis of what the group thinks actually happened.
· Did they find anything common among the (Same) news presented by the various channels/platforms in terms of tone, perspective etc.?
20 min
