Media literacy — being able to access, analyze and evaluate information for accuracy and reliability across a variety of mediums — is crucial for us to make informed decisions.
Today more than ever before, we have access to a wide range of information from a variety of media sources, most notably online digital platforms, television, radio and print materials. However, the benefits of increased exposure to information and ideas are undermined by a media landscape that is filled with polarized messaging, manipulated content, disinformation and propaganda. Rhetoric and catchphrases — especially about complex and divisive issues — are abundant and often attempt to reduce complex concerns to simplified and biased explanations.
Being discerning about the information around us is vital at all times (but especially during elections). Disinformation threatens our democratic process. Exercising critical thinking, being informed, and engaging with reliable information are important steps for resisting disinformation.
Media Literacy Now defines media literacy as “the ability to: decode media messages, including the systems in which they exist; assess the influence of those messages on our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, perceptions, beliefs, health, and on our society; and use and create media to provide information, send a message, or tell one’s own story in a way that is thoughtful, conscientious, safe, and responsible.”
Misinformation is inadvertently sharing false or inaccurate information.
Disinformation is intentionally creating and sharing false information with purpose to mislead and cause harm.
Evaluating Accuracy, Reliability and Intent
Thinking about what information is provided, the source, why a story is developed, and whose perspective is represented and whose is missing can be valuable in evaluating accuracy and reliability and in understanding the intent behind media information.
1. Be aware of your emotions, pause and think critically.
Here’s a good habit and rule of thumb: If you read a post online that enrages you to the point where you’re sending the headline to friends and family, that is the exact post that deserves to be double-checked. Take a moment and engage your critical thinking to evaluate the message, its intent, whether the source is reliable and if the information’s accurate.
2. Evaluate the information source, purpose and reliability.
Search engines, social media platforms and websites form labyrinths of information. However, not all information you find online has been vetted. If unfamiliar with a digital platform that shares an article or social media post, look for an “About Us” page on the website to consider its reputation and trustworthiness, and read more about the site from other reliable sources.
The following questions are a starting point for analyzing media information:
- What is the source of the information? Does the particular organization or person providing the information have a specific perspective or purpose?
- Is the information factual and verifiable through other journalistic and reliable sources? Here’s a list of news sources Americans trust most.
- What is the purpose of the information? Is there bias in the language and perspective? Some media pieces are opinions designed to persuade. Is the story objective journalism or an opinion piece?
- Why and how was this story developed? Whose perspective is given, and whose is missing? What does the given perspective and missing point of view reveal about the information? What questions does this raise?
The Trust Project’s 8 Trust Indicators is a downloadable resource to help people discern the difference between legitimate journalism and disinformation.
3. Fact-check information to evaluate accuracy.
Fact-checking is essential, especially during elections when candidates spend much time campaigning and speaking about their positions as well as the positions of their opponents.
- You can use a fact-checking site such as PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, AP Fact Check, Reuters Fact Check or Snopes.
- When seeking voting information, use official government election resources.
4. Recognize Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated disinformation.
Fake or misleading posts include images as well. You can perform a reverse image search to see where this image has shown up before and if it’s been altered.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can make it easy for individuals to create fake images and videos to mislead people. The Brennan Center for Justice encourages us all to take steps to recognize and resist inauthentic content designed to mislead and influence political views.
The SPLC’s article “Tips for Spotting AI-Generated Election Disinformation and Propaganda” recommends a practical series of questions to ask in analyzing digital content. These questions are useful for still images and video content.
5. Read laterally and use strategies to deepen understanding.
Lateral Reading is the practice of verifying what you are reading while you are reading it. This strategy helps to understand where information comes from and evaluate if it is reliable by reviewing it across a variety of trustworthy sources.
In a vast online landscape, headlines must grab readers’ attention, but reading beyond a headline is crucial. Even with reputable and credible sources, a headline can be misleading. Take time to read through the article instead of forming an opinion based on the headline.