Misinformation, Bias and Fact Checking: Mastering Media Literacy

Many people share misinformation unknowingly and sometimes with good or altruistic intentions - whether to articulate their perspectives, warn others away from danger or join others in trying to make sense of the world around them.

But some knowingly share things they suspect are false - whether to damage “the other side” in a political debate, get social media likes and shares, or conform to their ideological identities. Bad actors - such as hyperpartisans, trolls and even foreign agents - create and share disinformation to cause division and confusion, to promote political interests and points of view or for financial gain.

Source: News Literacy Project