Beneath simple labels like post-truth, alternative facts and fake news is a complex set of issues. Any debate about the problems needs to start from some common points of reference.
A shot of fake news now and your defenses are raised in the future?
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Does science have an answer to science denial? Just as being vaccinated protects you from a later full-blown infection, a bit of misinformation explained could help ward off other cases down the road.
Don’t panic: An international survey finds concerns about fake news are overblown.
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Concerns over filter bubbles and fake news are often based on anecdotal evidence. There is relatively little systematic research on the topic; a new survey finds widespread fears are unwarranted.
When new discoveries are jealously guarded under lock and key, science suffers.
Andy Wright
Fake news has been used in the past to feed into people’s fears and prejudices. A particularly poignant story from 1913 relates to the wrongful conviction of an innocent man named Leo Frank.
South Africa’s media landscape has changed fundamentally.
Reuters
The growth of new, vibrant, independent media sites and projects in South Africa have challenged conceptions of what a newsroom is. On limited budgets, some even fare better than mainstream media.
From mistrust in experts to fake news, it has never been more important for scientists to talk directly to the public.
Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs Zed Seselja discusses faith in media on Q&A with fellow panellist Claire Wardle from First Draft, which targets misinformation.
Q&A
On Q&A, government minister Zed Seselja remarked that surveys showed confidence in media has fallen globally. In Australia, he said, it has dropped lower than in the US. Is he right?
Statue of the Greek philosopher Aristotle.
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How do you know your search results or social media feeds aren’t being manipulated for political purposes? It’s not a crime to do so. But we believe it should be.
‘Believe me’ is one of Donald Trump’s most often-used catchphrases.
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