COVID-19 - Reliable Information Resources: Fighting Misinformation -- Tips & Tools

 

The National Association for Media Literacy (NAMLE) has created a comprehensive resources list that includes informational articles, teaching support, and free media literacy resources to assist you in learning about and fighting COVID-19 misinformation. Check it out!

-Updated 9-29-23-

News organizations and others have been collecting and debunking hoaxes and misinformation surrounding COVID-19. Note: search both "coronavirus" and "COVID-19" for latest updates.

AFP Fact Check

BuzzFeed News - first hoaxes & disinformation

BuzzFeed News - 2020 hoaxes

FactCheck.org

FEMA

Forbes 2020 report

Lead Stories

Media Matters

News Guard

News Literacy Project

Politifact 2021 update

Snopes 2020 update

WHO Myth Busters

Fact-Checking Sites & Tools

Global news agency that specializes in debunking misleading content from the Asia Pacific region.

Spanish language partnership to counteract disinformation within America's Hispanic and Latino communities. 

Nonpartisan international network organized by the Poynter Institute.

Detects and debunks trending fake news and hoaxes on known fake news sites and networks, prank generators and satirical websites.

Crowd-sourced fact-checking and ratings on truthfulness of articles are shared on social media to educate & recruit volunteer fact-checkers.

Rates the accuracy of politicians' statements and claims.

Rates the accuracy of politicians' statements and claims.

"The definitive Internet reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation."

Debunks propaganda, disinformation and misinformation on social media.

New tool from Google that allows rapid fact check searches.

 

First Draft News Verification Toolbox is a treasure trove of tools that checks source, location and more.

Reuters Fact Check is a service provided by Reuters, which is one of the world's largest global news agencies. Navigate to the Reuters homepage and search "fact check" to get started.

Adapted from:  Colby-Sawyer College Library

 

Learn to recognize misinformation using the SIFT assessment method developed by digital literacy expert Michael Caulfield, director of blended and online learning at Washington State University. Click here learn more!

Five quick ways to double-check online information

1. If a story is too good to be true, it probably is. False and misleading stories spread like wildfire because lies can be more appealing than the truth.
2. Use reverse image search to verify pictures. Real photographs that have not been edited at all can get reshared to fit a new narrative and spread misinformation. There are several reverse image search tools including Google Reverse Image Search. To begin, go to images.google.com, click the camera icon, and either paste in the URL for an onine image, upload an image from your hard drive, or drag an image from another window. Click here and scroll down for more image search tools.
3. Use thumbnail images to verify videos. You can take several thumbnail images from any video and use reverse image search to check whether it's been posted online before. (Use Amnesty International's new extraction tool.)
4. Not all research is created equal. Always check with official sources (click here for some suggestions.) Just because something has a chart or a table doesn't mean it's true.
5. Use geolocation to double-check places. Good observation skills and oniine searching can quickly check the location of a photo or video. Click here for more information; get started here.

Source: First Draft News

A 2023 study in Nature Human Behaviour listed a set of 11 "attitude roots" that could help researchers understand the motivations of people who reject vaccinations. These attitude roots point to psychological attributes that drive the belief, as opposed to factual arguments.

The same group published a paper in Scientific Reports, clustering the psychological traits into profiles. The researchers believe vaccination advocates should go beyond factual arguments and attempt to reach the public using resources like these profiles.

Source: MisinfoCon.com

Under the direction of the Surgeon General, the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services has created a detailed website with resources on how to fight public health misinformation. The guide includes:  

• Tips on how to take action
• Community toolkit on stopping misinformation
• Teaching tools for educators & community leaders
• Video overview (below)

A 2022 study from the University of Indiana found a "clear link" between Twitter misinformation and COVID-19 hesitancy. 

Thomson Reuters worked with NAMLE to create a suite of teaching tools that includes video, a podcast, infographics, and a classroom guide suitable for high school and college students. 

Friends and family -- like most people -- want to share truthful information. Here's what to do if you find they are spreading misinformation and need to step in and correct them:

• Be empathetic. Remember, most folks are just trying to help.
• Cite authoritative sources. Choose a source that the person trusts.
• Talk one-on-one. Do not inadvertently shame people by correcting them in public settings.
• "Pre-bunk." Get people thinking about accuracy and sources by providing them with authoritative sources and/or opening a personal discussion before they share misinformation.
• Don't hesitate. Remember, in this situation, passing along inaccurate information can have a direct impact on someone's health, and on the strength of our community ties. Don't let misinformation go unaddressed.

Source: CNN.com