Disinformation Pandemic: How to Fight It

Week 4 - Fact-checking

Homework

Homework

The groups that got T are tasked with finding a message that is true but seems untrustworthy. They can still edit it, and rewrite it to make it look like fake news, but the core of it must remain true.

Students who drew F are tasked with finding a fake news story but editing it to make it seem credible.

The messages can be created in any way you like, ideally on A4 or A3 paper - either by hand or by printing a digital version of the task. Either way, bring the finished assignment to school for the next lesson. The story should include a title and a maximum of 100 words. I recommend focusing on the visuals as well as the text itself. You can add for example some pictures, graphs etc. However, graphic design is not compulsory. But it can help you make your message more or less credible.

In the next lesson, you will present your articles and at the same time vote on which message you think is true and which is not. The goal is to confuse classmates, i.e., the student presents the fake news so that as many people as possible vote that the news is true, and vice versa.

If you are not sure about your homework, write to me, I am willing to help :)

Learning materials

Spotting disinformation - interactive presentation about evaluating media
Fact-check tutorials - AFP advanced tutorials on how to fact-check (eg. geolocation, advanced web search,...)
Debunking news - interactive presentation about fact-checking
A deadly blast at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. Who is to blame? And how many people died there? Everyone has their own opinion. Meanwhile, journalists from around the world are searching for the truth.
Interview with Kolina Koltai - a researcher at Bellingcat - How to fact-check the information from the battlefield?

Some fact-checking websites

Politifact - a nonprofit project that focuses on checking statements and promises made by those involved in politics. These statements receive ratings and explanations.
Demagog [CS/SK] - Czech and Slovak fact-checking websites operated by a politically independent voluntary association inspired by Politifact.
EU vs disinfo - Fact-checking of disinformation spread in the European Union
AllSides - evaluates political bias in media and presents balanced news from different political spectrums to force people out of their filter bubbles. They also offer programs for schools.
Bellingcat - concentrates on investigative journalism and specialises in fact-checking and investigating various subjects. The site offers guides to their methods and workshops.

Czechia (homework from Mariana)

Demagog.cz - People from this site check politicians' statements and write whether things they said are true or lie. Demagog articles pin out individual politicians' statements and then use emotes to show whether the statement is true, lie, unverifiable or misleading.
Manipulatori.cz on the other hand refers to site that mostly dissects lies told on social media like Facebook and Twitter. Among other things, they write articles about incorrect statements on social media, and politicians say and disprove hoaxes and warn about propaganda.

Slovakia (homework by Nina and Inka)

Demagog.SK is a project of the „Institute for a Well-Governed Society“ to check the factual statements made by politicians and other public figures in political debates in media, or published on social networks. This project seeks to bring about positive change - to motivate young people and society as a whole to take a greater interest in political events and truthful information. Since 2010, Demagog.SK has analysed more than 700 political debates and more than 15,000 factual statements.
AFP Fakty is a left-leaning fact-checking website. It is tied to the French news agency Agence France-Presse which is supposed to be an independent news agency, one of the oldest and biggest having reporters from all over the world and in 151 countries. It generates revenue by donations from the French government and EC and by independent investigations.
Hoaxes and Frauds managed by the Slovak Police has long been the most viewed FB profile in Slovakia, according to SITA. This page aims at fighting disinformation and preventing its spread by adding regular posts, infographics, and advice on how to behave in suspicious situations and not become a victim of a scam. The site has also introduced a number of video series in which it discusses, for example, healthcare hoaxes, hoaxes about foreigners, and internet safety in general.

Italy (homework by Nicola)

Facta.news is a project to counter misinformation and the circulation of fake news. The slogan 'Choose whom not to believe' synthesises their goal: to help readers understand which news, among those circulating in the media or on social networks, is false, decontextualised or inaccurate.
Bufale.net is a free fact-checking and debunking service. The project focuses on hoaxes, disinformation and in-depth analysis. The site has been online since 2014 and the mission is summarised behind the slogan 'Read responsibly'. Reading without responsibility means lacking critical spirit, thus assimilating distorted and biased information that can alter the perception of current affairs, politics and all other areas.
Pagella Politica is an editorial project born in 2012 that deals with fact-checking and analysis of current political events. Their mission is to help readers understand what drives the dynamics of politics, based on numbers and facts.