Lab 1: Detecting and Debunking Fake News
Fake news sites are designed to look like real news, but do not follow the same journalistic standards that you would expect from a real news source. The motive for each of these sites is to attract as many visitors as possible to maximize revenue from selling ad space. This is especially dangerous because fake news sites are flooding the world with information that is misleading at best, but is often completely false, and presenting it as true. In this activity, you will learn how to identify fake news while you investigate the authenticity of two sources. As you walk through the steps outlined below, you will see question/note- taking/recording prompts (indicated by letters). Be sure to record your thoughts and answer these questions, as your notes will help you to answer the questions at the end of this exercise. 1. Access and read the news articles referenced below (2 links provided for each, in case one does not cooperate with your computer ). Article 1: “Vaccines Kill More People Than Sharks, Alligators, Bears, Snakes And Spiders Combined” by D. Samuelson. Accessed from: http://vaccines.news. Sept 7 2016.
http://bit.ly/2fOcL0h
http://web.archive.org/web/20161031095438/http:/vaccines.news/2016-08-23-vaccines- kill-more-people-than-sharks-alligators-bears-snakes-and-spiders-combined-2.html
Article 2: “CDC officials worry that new flu vaccine recommendations could reduce use” by Lena H. Sun. Accessed from: http://washingtonpost.com. Sept 29 2016.
http://wapo.st/2dh25ol
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/09/29/cdc-officials- worry-that-new-flu-vaccine-recommendations-could-reduce- use/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.22cbcce5b56c
2. Now that you’ve read both articles, we are going to a few aspects of the websites for each article. Clickbait Headlines: Fake news sites often rely on clickbait headlines that are sensational, provocative, and grab your attention. This XKCD.com graphic gives good examples of what headlines may have looked like through the 20th century using clickbait terminology. A. Evaluate both articles 1 and 2 for evidence of
clickbait. Take notes on your findings Author Credibility: Fake news sites often have anonymous authors, authors with false names, or
http://bit.ly/2fOcL0h
http://web.archive.org/web/20161031095438/http:/vaccines.news/2016-08-23-vaccines-kill-more-people-than-sharks-alligators-bears-snakes-and-spiders-combined-2.html
http://web.archive.org/web/20161031095438/http:/vaccines.news/2016-08-23-vaccines-kill-more-people-than-sharks-alligators-bears-snakes-and-spiders-combined-2.html
http://wapo.st/2dh25ol
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/09/29/cdc-officials-worry-that-new-flu-vaccine-recommendations-could-reduce-use/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.22cbcce5b56c
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/09/29/cdc-officials-worry-that-new-flu-vaccine-recommendations-could-reduce-use/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.22cbcce5b56c
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/09/29/cdc-officials-worry-that-new-flu-vaccine-recommendations-could-reduce-use/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.22cbcce5b56c