Fake News is a very popular phrase at the moment that is used to cover intentional and accidental misreporting of the truth.
It is even used as a way of dismissing a report that is in conflict with your belief.
Below are links and information that can help to clarify your understanding.
false news stories, often of a sensational nature, created to be widely shared or distributed for the purpose of generating revenue, or promoting or discrediting a public figure, political movement, company, etc.:
Example: It’s impossible to avoid clickbait and fake news on social media.
a parody that presents current events or other news topics for humorous effect in an obviously satirical imitation of journalism:
Example: The website publishes fake news that is hilarious and surprisingly insightful.
Sometimes Facetious. (used as a conversational tactic to dispute or discredit information that is perceived as hostile or unflattering):
Example: The senator insisted that recent polls forecasting an election loss were just fake news.
the ability or skills to critically analyze for accuracy, credibility, or evidence of bias the content created and consumed in various media, including radio and television, the internet, and social media.
2. deliberately misleading or biased information; manipulated narrative or facts; propaganda:
Example: Special interest groups muddied the waters of the debate, spreading disinformation on social media.
false information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead:
Example: In the chaotic hours after the earthquake, a lot of misinformation was reported in the news.
Image source: How to Spot Fake News, International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Image source: Research guides: Wake Forest University. https://guides.zsr.wfu.edu/fakenews
The ABC Education Media Literacy site is an excellent resource to explain all the various issues associated with Media Literacy through short videos and articles.
Included is an interactive game on Spotting online misinformation and disinformation: https://www.abc.net.au/education/media-literacy/interactive-lesson:spotting-online-misinformation-and-disinform/11487456
Fact Check.org video (3.22)
How to Spot Fake News: https://youtu.be/AkwWcHekMdo
University of the Sunshine Coast - What are credible sources?- https://libguides.usc.edu.au/credible/web
Fake News: https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people/fake-news
Becoming a discerning digital citizen - how to spot fake news: https://www.digitalcitizenship.nsw.edu.au/articles/become-a-discerning-digital-citizen
University of South Australia: Fake News: https://guides.library.unisa.edu.au/c.php?g=169997&p=4493310
Fake news and misinformation advice hub. (2024, January 5). Retrieved from https://www.internetmatters.org/issues/fake-news-and-misinformation-advice-hub/
The Conversation video (1.12)
How we do Fact Checks at The Conversation: https://youtu.be/aYLdaZWt9H8
Updated November 2024