Gathering in Yakutia organized a presentation on falsifications
In Yakutsk, at the House of Nationalities named after Alexei Kulakovsky, a lecture took place that aimed to help individuals navigate the complex information environment of modern society and protect themselves from fake news. The lecture was given by Nurguiya Makarova, a lecturer from the Russian "Knowledge" Society.
The topic of the lecture was the modern society phenomenon: fake news. Makarova emphasized the importance of considering various markers when reading messages or news to avoid falling victim to manipulation or ill intent.
- Check the Source: Verify the credibility of the news outlet or website. Reliable sources are usually well-known, have a transparent editorial policy, and a good reputation.
- Cross-Verify Information: Look for the same news in multiple reputable sources. If a story appears only on one site or source with no corroboration, it may be suspicious.
- Examine the Author: Research the author’s credentials and past work to determine their expertise and reliability.
- Analyze the Content Critically: Be cautious of sensational headlines, emotional language, or information that seems designed to provoke strong reactions rather than inform.
- Check Dates and Context: Sometimes old news is recirculated out of context to mislead. Confirm the date and context of the information.
- Beware of Manipulated Media: Be alert to doctored photos, videos, or audio clips that have been altered to distort the truth.
- Use Fact-Checking Resources: Consult independent fact-checking organizations that evaluate the truthfulness of news stories.
- Reflect on Personal Biases: Recognize how your own beliefs might affect your reception of information, and try to approach news objectively.
- Educate Yourself Continuously: Stay informed about common misinformation techniques and digital literacy skills.
Makarova advised being cautious of carelessness and typos in a message or news as potential markers of fake news. She also warned about clickbait headlines and highlighted virality as markers of potential fake news. The lecturer emphasized the importance of checking videos for deepfakes and advised trusting news only from official and verified sources.
Moreover, Makarova noted that strong emotions in a message or news could be a marker of fake news. She suggested finding out who wrote a particular message or article and pointed out that subjectivity or bias in a message or news could be a marker of fake news.
By following these steps, as outlined by Nurguiya Makarova, individuals can navigate the complex information environment of modern society and protect themselves from fake news.
- Avoid Clickbait Headlines: Be wary of sensational, seemingly too-good-to-be-true headlines as they may be attempting to capture your attention and potentially mislead you.
- Investigate the Emotional Tone: Take note if a message or news article triggers strong emotions, as this could be indicative of manipulation or intentionally inflammatory content.
