Looking for sources? Search EBSCO or QuickSearch.
PLS 135 Course Playbook
Resources for research in political science, government, and international relations.
Need Help?
Ask a Librarian @
Betty Sue Jessup Library
501 College Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.961.5309
reference@pvcc.edu
Betty Sue Jessup Library
501 College Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.961.5309
reference@pvcc.edu
Media Literacy: Understanding and Identifying Fake, Biased, and Inflammatory News and Sources
Identifying fake, biased, or deliberately misleading news sources is a fundamental skill for success. This skill will not only help you academically, but also personally, allowing you to become a more effective democratic participant.
To be media literate, you must be able to:
- evaluate the reliability and accuracy of oral, print, and digital media;
- recognize bias in news reporting; and,
- identify fake news reporting and the use of clickbait titles.
How to Spot Fake News
Click on the image to see it full size.
Deepfakes
“PELOSI STAMMERS THROUGH NEWS CONFERENCE” pic.twitter.com/1OyCyqRTuk
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 24, 2019
Checking the Facts
Sometimes it is difficult to know whether or not a news story is true, especially if you are unfamiliar with the situation or context. Use a fact checker, such as the below, to make sure the information is correct and reliable.
- FactCheck.org"A nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding. FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania."
- Politifact"PolitiFact is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics. PolitiFact is run by editors and reporters from the Tampa Bay Times, an independent newspaper in Florida, as is PunditFact, a site devoted to fact-checking pundits."
- Poynter InstituteThe Poynter Institute "is the world’s leading instructor, innovator, convener and resource for anyone who aspires to engage and inform citizens in 21st Century democracies."
- SnopesA "reference source for urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation."