Watch out for news outlets or prominent figures who use the term 'fake news' to discredit news sources or information that are actually true. During his presidency, Donald Trump used the term 'fake news' 979 times on Twitter before his account was permanently suspended on January 2021.
Media Bias by
Editor Mary E. Williams has arranged several essays in a pro versus con format that explore the issues surrounding media bias. Across three chapters, readers will explore whether media bias is a real problem, which issues reveal media bias, and whether media bias should be challenged.
*Available at high school, to request at the middle school please email me.
Media Wizards by
Explores the various tools advertisers, broadcasters, and others involved in the media use to impart messages to the public, describing both historical and contemporary media events and phenomena.
Media Bias/C Stuart Kallen, Book Editor by
A contentious debate has been raging over the issue of media bias. While many believe that the media has a liberal slant, others say the media is biased towards conservative or corporate interests. Media Bias covers all sides of this dispute with experts opinions from across the political spectrum.
If you would like a book from another school, just email me (kcomerford@metuchenschools.org) and I can bring it over.
The Fake News Phenomenon by
The 2016 US presidential election introduced a new term to the media lexicon. The Fake News Phenomenon examines the spread of bogus news sources, the reasons they exist, and the difference between media bias and "fake news." Readers are also provided with tips for how to discern the credibility of a news source. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
Debunk It by
We live in an era of misinformation, much of it spread by authority figures, including politicians, religious leaders, broadcasters, and, of course, apps and websites. In this second edition, author John Grant uses ripped-from-the-headlines examples to clearly explain how to identify bad evidence and poor arguments. He also points out the rhetorical tricks people use when attempting to pull the wool over our eyes, and offers advice about how to take these unscrupulous pundits down. Updated to include a chapter on fake news, Debunk It serves as a guide to critical thinking for young readers looking to find some clarity in a confusing world.
Uncovering Bias in the News by
Media consumers rely on objectivity from their news sources, but that's not always a realistic expectation. Uncovering Bias in the News looks at the ways in which multiple media outlets can cover the same story in vastly different ways, the reasons for these differences, and how to recognize bias in a news report. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
Why News Matters by
The right to a free press is guaranteed by the First Amendment, but it can be easy to take this freedom for granted. Why News Matters looks at the history of investigative journalism, including the scandals that reporters have uncovered and ways in which the world has changed for the better because of the efforts of these journalists. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
Your Personalized Internet by
These days it's become easier than ever to customize social media feeds to include only information you think is relevant to your interests. But is that necessarily a positive development? Your Personalized Internet uncovers the problematic aspects of online customization, including the dangers of echo chambers and filter bubbles and the loss of privacy that can result from companies sharing your personal information. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
Advertising Overload by
Media outlets rely on advertising for financial support, but in many cases it's becoming more difficult to determine where the news ends and advertising begins. Advertising Overload takes a closer look at the encroachment of sponsored content and paid advertisements in areas where consumers might not expect to see them, as well as the ways that companies use collected data to push targeted advertising at consumers. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
If you would like a book from another school, just email me (kcomerford@metuchenschools.org) and I can bring it over.
Fake news is not news you disagree with.
"Fake news" is "fabricated information that mimics news media content in form but not in organizational process or intent. Fake-news outlets, in turn, lack the news media's editorial norms and processes for ensuring the accuracy and credibility of information. Fake news overlaps with other information disorders, such as misinformation (false or misleading information) and disinformation (false information that is purposely spread to deceive people)." [David M. J. Lazer, et al., "The Science of Fake News," Science 09 Mar 2018: Vol. 359, Issue 6380, pp. 1094-1096.].
Taken from:
Research & Learning Services
Olin Library
Cornell University Library
Ithaca, NY, USA
The term 'fake news' is dangerous in that it insinuates information falls into two broad categories- real and fake. It over simplifies what is often a carefully crafted attempt to influence opinion using a variety of strategies. It is important to teach our students these strategies because it will help them determine whether or not they are trustworthy by digging deeper than simply defining the information as real or fake. Here are the most popular types of false information:
1. Propaganda- ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause. It is most often associated with something created by an official office or government entity to further its own agenda.
2. Disinformation- false information deliberately and often covertly spread in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth. It is similar to propaganda, however, it differs in that it is often spread to discredit a rival rather than promote one's own agenda. Russia and China are the main
3. Conspiracy theories- "A theory that explains an event or set of circumstances as the result of a secret plot by usually powerful conspirators. They are usually spread as part of a disinformation campaign to discredit a rival.
4. Clickbait- something (such as a headline) designed to make readers want to click on a hyperlink especially when the link leads to content of dubious value or interest. They are usually dramatic headlines which entine people to click or even better for the creators, to share. The content of the article usually contains unrelated or blatantly false information. The more people who open the link, the more money the creators make off advertisement dollars- which is why a dead give away of click bait is advertisements. But, if it takes advertisements to inform you the article if clickbait, you've already fallen for the bate!
5. Satire- "Humor that shows the weaknesses or bad qualities of a person, government, or society." Sites such as The Onion or The Borowitz Report publish intentionally false and outlandish news stories for comedic purposes. In 2017, the Washington Post reported that Chinese media had picked up one of these intentionally false news stories (claiming that Pres. Trump had ordered all White House telephones be covered in tin foil) and published it as true.
6. Bias Challenging- the act of declaring anything that challenges a person's belief as fake news.
Other signs the information is not credible:
Taken from: Fact vs. Fiction: Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in the Age of Fake News by Jennifer Lagarde and Darren Hudgins -Coming to our library soon!