10/21 Misinformation and more

In today’s digital world, misinformation and disinformation have become serious challenges that affect both individuals and society as a whole. For individuals, believing in false information can lead to poor decision-making, anxiety, or distrust in important sources like health organizations or government institutions. On a larger scale, the spread of these falsehoods can create division, undermine trust in democratic processes, and even impact public safety. Recognizing misinformation and disinformation is crucial for protecting ourselves and maintaining the integrity of our communities. By learning to spot the signs and knowing how to respond—through fact-checking, critical thinking, and not sharing unverified information—we can help slow the spread of false claims and contribute to a more informed, united society.  Our lesson will introduce you to the terms, describe what this looks like, and provide tools for spotting and responding to these threats. 

In today’s class, we will:

Define and discuss the terminologies related to the lesson (misinformation, disinformation, conspiracy theories and deep fakes)

Discuss the purpose of news and how to identify the different types

Using infographics, discuss the ways to determine the type of news

Highlight the reasons why misinformation and disinformation may be created

Using tools and presentations, spot the motive behind a news story,  identify the ways to identify if news is real (using the CRAAP test) and a look at deep fake videos

People promote misinformation or disinformation for a variety of reasons, often tied to their goals, beliefs, or influence motives. Here are some common reasons:

1. Financial Gain: Misinformation and disinformation can generate income through clicks, ads, or selling products tied to misleading information. For example, websites may spread sensational or false headlines to attract clicks and ad revenue (clickbait).

2. Political Influence: Disinformation campaigns are often used to sway public opinion, manipulate elections, or create divisions in society. Governments, political groups, or actors with vested interests may spread disinformation to undermine opponents or push an agenda.

3. Ideological Beliefs: Some individuals or groups promote misinformation because it aligns with their personal beliefs, values, or worldviews. They may feel passionate about a cause and share false or misleading information to support it, even if the information is not accurate.

4. Social Validation: People may spread misinformation to gain attention, feel included in a community, or gain followers online. Sharing sensational or controversial content can lead to increased social media engagement, which reinforces the behavior.

5. Misinformation Spread by Mistake: Many people unintentionally share misinformation because they believe it to be true. With the rapid spread of information online, it's easy for misleading or false content to go viral before it is fact-checked.

6. Manipulation and Control: Disinformation can be used as a tool for psychological manipulation, intended to confuse, control, or disorient a target audience. For example, spreading conflicting information can lead people to doubt all sources, making it easier for manipulators to influence them.

7. Cognitive Biases: People often fall prey to misinformation because it confirms their pre-existing biases (confirmation bias). As a result, they may be more likely to accept and share false information that supports their opinions or fears.

8. Trolling or Malicious Intent: Some individuals or groups spread disinformation simply to cause harm, sow chaos, or disrupt social order. Trolls often spread false information to provoke emotional reactions or division.

In order to spot misinformation and disinformation, you need to have the mind of a detective.  Instead of accepting a news article or post on social media, you would go beyond that to critically look at the information.  Fortunately, there have been tools created to help guide people through the identification of a reputable source. 

Using the CRAAP test to spot misinformation

One example is the CRAAP Test.  This  is a helpful tool to evaluate the legitimacy and reliability of a source by examining five key criteria: Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. It was originally developed by the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico, and can be applied to both online and offline sources to assess their credibility.

Here’s how each component of the CRAAP test can help you determine the accuracy of information:

C – Currency:  Is the information up to date? Look at when the article or source was published. Is it recent enough to still be relevant? Old information might be outdated or no longer accurate, especially for topics like science, technology, or health. Questions to ask: When was this published or last updated? Are there newer sources with more current information? Does the timeliness of the information affect its usefulness?

R – Relevance: Is the information important for your needs? Consider whether the source meets your specific needs or answers your questions fully. Information that is too general or off-topic may not be useful, even if it’s accurate. Questions to ask: Does this article answer the question I have? Is the depth of information appropriate for my needs? Who is the intended audience (general public, experts, students)?

A – Authority: Who is the source of the information? Investigate the author or the organization behind the source. Are they an expert or recognized authority on the topic? Reliable sources often come from educational institutions, well-established organizations, or credentialed authors. Questions to ask: Who is the author, and are they qualified to write on this topic? Is the publisher or organization reputable? Can you easily find more information about the author’s credentials?

A – Accuracy: Is the information backed by evidence? Ensure the information is factual and supported by credible sources. Misinformation often lacks citations, data, or expert opinions. Check if the article includes verifiable data, references, or direct quotes from experts. Questions to ask: Where does this information come from? Are the sources cited? Can I verify the facts presented through other reliable sources? Is the information free of obvious errors or bias?

P – Purpose: Why does this information exist? Identify the intent behind the information. Is it meant to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell something? Be cautious of biased articles that push a particular agenda or have emotional appeals. Neutral, objective information is more likely to be accurate. Questions to ask: What is the purpose of this article? Is it trying to sell something or push a certain view? Are there any signs of bias or manipulation (e.g., emotional language)? Does the content seem objective or is it overly opinionated?

What are Deepfakes?

Deepfakes are AI-generated videos, images, or audio designed to look or sound real, but they are entirely fabricated or altered. While deepfakes can be highly convincing, there are several ways to detect them. Here’s a guide on how to recognize deepfakes and some tools you can use.

Tips for Detecting Deepfakes

1. Examine Facial Movements and Expressions

• What to look for: Faces in deep fakes may have unnatural or odd facial movements. Pay attention to blinking patterns, lip-syncing, and how the face moves when speaking.

• Red flags:

  • Eyes that do not blink naturally.

  • Lips that don’t match up with the spoken words (poor lip-sync).

  • Faces that seem "stiff" or do not move naturally during emotional expressions.

2. Look for Mismatched Lighting and Shadows

• What to look for: Lighting inconsistencies are common in deep fakes. The light or shadow on the face may not match the background or other objects in the scene.

• Red flags:

  • Unnatural shadows on the face or head.

  • Lighting on the face doesn't match the rest of the environment.

3. Check for Blurred or Distorted Areas

• What to look for: Deepfakes often have blurry or fuzzy spots, especially around the edges of the face or where facial features meet the background.

• Red flags:

  • Blurry edges around the face or neck.

  • Parts of the video that seem “pixelated” or unclear.

  • Glitches where parts of the face (like eyes or mouth) shift unnaturally.

 4. Pay Attention to Audio Quality

• What to look for: The voice in a deepfake might not perfectly match the person’s real voice or may have an unnatural, robotic tone.

• Red flags:

  • Audio that feels out of sync with the speaker’s mouth.

  • A voice that seems digitally altered or unnatural.

5. Observe for Unnatural Eye Movements

• What to look for: Deepfake videos can struggle to replicate natural eye movements and reflections.

• Red flags:

  • Eyes that do not focus or follow objects naturally.

  • The absence of eye reflections, which should be present in natural lighting.

6. Verify the Source

• What to do: Always check where the video or image is coming from. Reliable sources like reputable news outlets or official channels are less likely to publish deepfakes.

• Red flags:

  • Videos or images posted on unknown, suspicious, or unauthenticated platforms.

  • Content that is shared without a clear origin or source.

A Process to Detect Deepfakes: The "REAL" Method

Detect deepfakes using the REAL Method:

• R: Research the source. Always check where the video or image comes from. Reliable news outlets and trusted sources are less likely to post deepfakes.

• E: Examine the visuals. Look closely at facial movements, lighting, and shadows. Does anything look unnatural?

• A: Analyze the audio. Is the voice synced correctly with the person’s mouth? Does the voice sound artificial or altered?

• L: Look for inconsistencies. Pay attention to strange eye movements, blurred areas, or unnatural expressions that suggest manipulation.

Additional resources:

Misinformation and disinformation guide:  https://www.security.org/digital-security/misinformation/ 

Verification handbook:  https://verificationhandbook.com/downloads/verification.handbook.pdf