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This week feels like a turning point in the world of disinformation. It started with the 'Plandemic' documentary going viral, with the platforms trying to take it down playing the classic game of whack-a-mole. See this reporting from @PolitiFact https://www.politifact.com/article/2020/may/08/fact-checking-plandemic-documentary-full-false-con/
Over the past 48 hrs -- it just feels like disinformation has really hit the mainstream & reached a new peak we haven't seen before. The news stories by mainstream outlets on this topic, are sobering....
Like @kevinroose for @nytimes "Get Ready for a Vaccine Information War" https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/13/technology/coronavirus-vaccine-disinformation.html
Or @AdrienneLaF for @TheAtlantic "The Prophecies of Q: American conspiracy theories are entering a dangerous new phase" https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/06/qanon-nothing-can-stop-what-is-coming/610567/
Or @HarrisonMantas for @poynter @factchecknet "It is not true that masks cause hypoxia. This hoax is now viral and dangerous" https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2020/it-is-not-true-that-masks-cause-hypoxia-this-hoax-is-now-viral-and-dangerous/
More from @NBCNews @BrandyZadrozny @oneunderscore__ on #Plandemic: "As ' #Plandemic' goes viral, those targeted by discredited scientist's crusade warn of 'dangerous' claims" https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/plandemic-goes-viral-those-targeted-discredited-scientist-s-crusade-warn-n1202361
And @JaneLytv's piece on Plandemic for @BuzzFeedNews "The "Plandemic" Video Has Exploded Online — And It Is Filled With Falsehoods" https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/janelytvynenko/coronavirus-plandemic-viral-harmful-fauci-mikovits
There are more out there and please feel free to add to this thread with replies for what you are reading this week (that is RELIABLE) on the topic of disinformation and misinformation. This is what @mediawise is all about -- teaching people how to sort fact from fiction online.
In our team morning meeting this morning, we discussed how this week does feel like a new pinnacle, but sadly it's probably a small peak in a very large mountain... that this is just the beginning.
It also was a good reminder for my team and me why digital media literacy is so desperately needed -- we didn't really need one but it has sure lit a fire under my ass, I can tell you that.
I urge the platforms to do more, because the current system is clearly not working. People's lives are on the line and we need solutions that WORK and to take a harder line on this kind of content.
For example, we have polled our @MediaWise followers on our Instagram -- and more than 80% on average say they are more likely to fact-check on their own after watching our fact-checking stories.
I would also suggest a coordinated response between all
the platforms through a small council with reps from each company and to take a proactive approach working with the #factchecking community with the help of @factchecknet as the coordinating body.
the platforms through a small council with reps from each company and to take a proactive approach working with the #factchecking community with the help of @factchecknet as the coordinating body.
A group that meets in real-time when disinformation hits the mainstream like "Plandemic."
Please share this thread and thanks for reading.
Let's hope my toddler's brain is not completely fried from all the TV he's been watching this week as I've been working nonstop like every other fact-checker around the world.
Let's hope my toddler's brain is not completely fried from all the TV he's been watching this week as I've been working nonstop like every other fact-checker around the world.
