Media Literacy and Fake News (2 Viewers)

[Ayo]

The Canadian Journalism Federation is taking fake news very seriously. I've worked with media literacy for years, and this is - to date - the most expansively public approach that I've seen, in advance of the Federal Election.

Journalism group launches anti-fake news campaign ahead of Canadian election

Recent polling suggests nearly all Canadians have come across misinformation online, yet only 40 per cent feel they know how to differentiate between fake news and the real thing.

www.thestar.com

If you are engaged online, you have likely been subjected to something that was not true, and yet there isn't much pursuit in trying to determine factual accuracy of the articles and information. And most of us - probably every single one of us here - have fallen for it.

Recent polling by Ipsos, Earnscliffe Strategy Group and MIT researchers suggests nearly all Canadians have come across misinformation online, yet only 40 per cent feel they know how to differentiate between fake news and the real thing.

The polls also found 90 per cent of Canadians admitted to falling for fake news in the past, and only a third of them regularly check to see if the stories they’re consuming are legitimate.

I don't think that their approach is going to be enough. I think the most effective utility it will have is bringing awareness. But fuller approaches to media literacy are going to be necessary to combat the deluge of increasingly deceptive media. These are hard skills that can be learned, but with the advent of new 'deep fake' technology, media literacy is going to have adapt, too.

I would like to see greater emphasis on media literacy in the US. Because even though this statement is for the Canadian audience, it definitely - maybe even more so - applies to the US where news is more infotainment and sensationalized than it is up here:

“To be an engaged citizen, you have to have access to quality journalism… you have to understand what is quality journalism and what is not,” said Richard Gingras, vice-president of Google News.

Another source includes one approach - the SPOT approach: https://www.manitoulin.ca/news-media-canada-launches-new-tool-to-help-people-spot-fake-news/

SPOT is an acronym that acts as a simple way to remember the four principles of identifying misinformation. It works like this:
S: Is this a credible source? Check the source of the article—and be skeptical.
P: Is the perspective biased? Think critically and look for varying viewpoints on an issue.
O: Are other sources reporting the same story? Be your own fact-checker and verify the validity of the story.
T: Is the story timely? Check the date the story was published—sometimes, stories use old information to take advantage of a timely occurrence.

It's obviously not enough, but a decent start.

 

[superchuck500]

Fox successfully defended a defamation claim by “persuasively” arguing that everyone should know that Tucker Carlson is full of shirt.

 

[DJ1BigTymer]

Fox successfully defended a defamation claim by “persuasively” arguing that everyone should know that Tucker Carlson is full of shirt.

I have to take exception to their argument though. They are assuming that Tucker's audience are "reasonable viewers".

 

[Farb]

This seems about right for 2020 and the lefts staunch defense of the 1st Amendment.

https://www.mmamania.com/2020/9/24/...n-strike-spotify-refuses-censor-joe-rogan-mma

 

[Complex Kid]

This seems about right for 2020 and the lefts staunch defense of the 1st Amendment.

https://www.mmamania.com/2020/9/24/...n-strike-spotify-refuses-censor-joe-rogan-mma

The first amendment applies to what companies choose to allow on their own airwaves?

 

[CoolBrees]

@Farb you know that has nothing to do with the First Amendment so why would you make that claim?

A private company can censor anything they want. They can fire you for not liking your hair color. The constitution doesn’t apply to your job.

 

[Nebaghead]

This seems about right for 2020 and the lefts staunch defense of the 1st Amendment.

https://www.mmamania.com/2020/9/24/...n-strike-spotify-refuses-censor-joe-rogan-mma

Can you explain to me how the government censored him?

 

[Farb]

Sorry, I should have stated clearly. This has nothing to do with government censorship, clearly, only becasue the Democrats don't hold enough power to make that happen despite their lust for censorship. This is more in the lines of the radical left's love affair with cancel culture. If you don't give the the children what they want, they will throw a tantrum..

" Spotify employees were demanding direct editorial oversight over the recently-acquired Joe Rogan Experience podcast. That would include the ability to directly edit or remove sections of upcoming interviews, or block the uploading of episodes deemed problematic. The employees also demanded the ability to add trigger warnings, corrections, and references to fact-checked articles on topics discussed by Rogan in the course of his multi-hour discussions.

Some of the group’s demands have already been met by Spotify management, though a refusal to allow further changes is stirring talk of a high-profile walkout or strike. According to preliminary plans shared with Digital Music News, the strike would principally involve New York-based Spotify employees, and would be accompanied by protests outside Spotify’s Manhattan headquarters. Other aspects would involve media appearances and coordination with other activist organizations."

More of the "give us what we want or we will break your things" becasue we know how the left does protests now.

 

[Ayo]

Are you drawing a distinction between “Democrats” and the “radical left”? The opening paragraph doesn’t make it clear. It seems to be one and then the other and then both/all.

 

[Nebaghead]

Sorry, I should have stated clearly. This has nothing to do with government censorship, clearly, only becasue the Democrats don't hold enough power to make that happen despite their lust for censorship. This is more in the lines of the radical left's love affair with cancel culture. If you don't give the the children what they want, they will throw a tantrum..

" Spotify employees were demanding direct editorial oversight over the recently-acquired Joe Rogan Experience podcast. That would include the ability to directly edit or remove sections of upcoming interviews, or block the uploading of episodes deemed problematic. The employees also demanded the ability to add trigger warnings, corrections, and references to fact-checked articles on topics discussed by Rogan in the course of his multi-hour discussions.

Some of the group’s demands have already been met by Spotify management, though a refusal to allow further changes is stirring talk of a high-profile walkout or strike. According to preliminary plans shared with Digital Music News, the strike would principally involve New York-based Spotify employees, and would be accompanied by protests outside Spotify’s Manhattan headquarters. Other aspects would involve media appearances and coordination with other activist organizations."

More of the "give us what we want or we will break your things" becasue we know how the left does protests now.

What legislation have the Dems proposed to censor Americans? Trump is literally spewing that these protests are illegal and should be shut down which is the ESSENCE OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT. Also he constantly states the press should be censored. Your pearl clutching is tiresome.

 

[CoolBrees]

So Spotify is now the radical left?

Again, their management has the right and frankly obligation to their share holders to do what best in the interest of business. If they feel that his opinions and questionable choice in guests going unchecked will hurt their brand it is in their fiduciary responsibility to step in - in whatever manner management sees fit.

This is capitalism at its finest actually. Free market at work.

 

[coldseat]

Sorry, I should have stated clearly. This has nothing to do with government censorship, clearly, only becasue the Democrats don't hold enough power to make that happen despite their lust for censorship. This is more in the lines of the radical left's love affair with cancel culture. If you don't give the the children what they want, they will throw a tantrum..

" Spotify employees were demanding direct editorial oversight over the recently-acquired Joe Rogan Experience podcast. That would include the ability to directly edit or remove sections of upcoming interviews, or block the uploading of episodes deemed problematic. The employees also demanded the ability to add trigger warnings, corrections, and references to fact-checked articles on topics discussed by Rogan in the course of his multi-hour discussions.

Some of the group’s demands have already been met by Spotify management, though a refusal to allow further changes is stirring talk of a high-profile walkout or strike. According to preliminary plans shared with Digital Music News, the strike would principally involve New York-based Spotify employees, and would be accompanied by protests outside Spotify’s Manhattan headquarters. Other aspects would involve media appearances and coordination with other activist organizations."

More of the "give us what we want or we will break your things" becasue we know how the left does protests now.

I'm always curious when I read these articles, from websites that I've never heard of, how many employees are they talking about? Is this a union? Why haven't other news sources reported this if it's serious. Ect.

But I guess I'm never curious enough to go looking for the answers. I suppose if this actually becomes something, I'll hear about it.

 

[Farb]

I thought my distinction was clear. Democrats, I believe, want some level of censorship. Social Media, Facebook, Fox News, ect.... How much, I don't know. I am not allowed in their meeting anymore but I think it is fairly obvious to most.

The radical left of the Democratic party participates in, maybe invented, 'cancel culture' and that is what is going on apparently with Rogan. It is nothing new, it is just out in the open now.
I know a lot of Democrats that personally hate the cancel culture and cherish free speech. Unfortunately, I don't see the Democratic leaders championing free speech like they use to because, IMO, they don't want to alienate a single anti-Trump vote. By not wanting to alienate the radical left's vote, the Democratic leaders might have alienated large parts of their base. I guess we will see.

 

[Farb]

I'm always curious when I read these articles, from websites that I've never heard of, how many employees are they talking about? Is this a union? Why haven't other news sources reported this if it's serious. Ect.

But I guess I'm never curious enough to go looking for the answers. I suppose if this actually becomes something, I'm hear about it.

That is a fair question. I first read the story on a new platform that would not have been received well on this board, so I googled it and picked a source that wasn't known for politics, that is why I picked some article from a MMA site that I didn't even know existed.

And I have no idea how many employees or if they are unionized.

 

[V Chip]

The radical left of the Democratic party participates in, maybe invented, 'cancel culture'

LOL

The far right/conservatives invented cancel culture long long ago and have it so ingrained in their consciousness that they can’t even see it. Conservatives have been calling for silencing/jailing/murdering dissenters far longer than most countries are old.

 

[CoolBrees]

I promise you if any action is taken towards Rogen, morality or feelings won’t be the reason.

It will be dollars. It doesn’t matter frankly if it is 4000 mid level programmers or half the BoD, if a decision is made it is because it will create profit or offset a loss. Period.

Business doesn’t care about your feelings.

If a CEO of a petrochemical firm grows a conscience and puts out a memo that the company will be eliminating fossil fuels; the only thing that would get eliminated is the CEO. That goes for EVERY Corp in America.

A terrible movie Jerry Maguire had a poignant message about this. He got a conscience and wrote a manifesto. He was applauded. And shown the door. That is the only realistic thing from that awful movie.

It is the price you pay to be at the top. You don’t get to have a conscience. You have stockholders instead.

So I will say it again. If Spotify gags him, it won’t be because they are doing it to satisfy the left. They are doing it to satisfy their investors, their advertisers and their listeners. Politics be damned.

 

[Ayo]

I thought my distinction was clear.

it’s okay. I’m just stupid.

 

[MT15]

LOL

The far right/conservatives invented cancel culture long long ago and have it so ingrained in their consciousness that they can’t even see it. Conservatives have been calling for silencing/jailing/murdering dissenters far longer than most countries are old.

Just today we learned that Trump took away an award from a foreign journalist because she dared to criticize him on Twitter after she received it and made the State Dept. flacks lie to Congress about it. He has threatened to bar news organizations from the WH, has talked about making it easier to sue journalists, has targeted journalists at every rally, celebrates a journalist getting hit with a rubber bullet.

Farb, your actual 1st Amendment rights are far safer with democrats than with Trump, and that isn't even debatable.

 

[SaintForLife]

I wonder why the New York Times staff didn't throw a hissy fit like they did for Cotton's op-ed?