Misinformation & Media

Whāinga ako: Lesson Goals

To understand the difference between misinformation and disinformation and to develop skills in identifying fake news.

Conspiracy theory/Ariā kakai: An unfounded explanation of an event or situation that blames the secretive work or sinister, powerful people (such as a government, company, group or even one person).

Kōrero horihori

Misinformation: False information that spreads, regardless of its intent.

Disinformation: Information spread to intentionally deceive, misguide or influence public opinion.

Fake news!

Different types of media can be used to inform or mislead people. We have covered advertising on TV in year 9, and we have also looked at propaganda posters in our history skills lessons. Social media and the internet are additional powerful tools that can spread accurate information and misinformation or disinformation. 

Fake news is often reflected on as being a social media issue, but it goes back way further than that. Check out this newspaper article, reporting that everyone who had been on the Titanic was completely fine...

1. Why do you think the newspaper published this incorrect information? Was it a mistake (misinformation) or was there an intent to deceive (disinformation)? 

2. What impact might this false report have had on the public and the families of those on the Titanic? 

Misinformation and Disinformation

The internet has been a confusing place for a few years now with the rise of social media meaning that anyone can share things easily, some is useful news, some is propaganda, some is just plain wrong. 

Truth or Troll Game

Scenario: your friend has been sharing posts. Some of them are true and some of them are not! Your job is to figure out what is the truth and what is your friend trolling.