Media Forensics

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Do you know what circular reporting, critical consuming, critical ignoring, confirmation bias, filter bubbles, motivated reasoning, and unconscious bias are? They’re all ways we create or deal with information that does or does not align with our knowledge about the world. What about pink slime, deep fakes vs. cheap fakes, Liar’s Dividend, and Zombie claims? In this exercise, you will explore how to critically analyze images and facts to determine truth.
Skills:
Critical thinking
• Evaluate the influence of context and assumptions on a problem or issue.
• Formulate and support conclusions about a problem or issue.
• Assess the implications and consequences of conclusions.
Background:
The United Nations sees media literacy for all as a human right (Fig. 1):

Source: Five Laws of Media & Information Literacy
Information accountability is at the heart of media literacy. The questions that journalists use to determine what’s “news” also can help information consumers determine the provenance or accuracy and authority of the texts and images they encounter in news and entertainment or social media:
• Who is behind the information?
• What evidence is used to support the information’s claims?
• What do other sources say?
You might apply the CRAAP test, an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose, developed at California State University, Chico. Alternatively, you could try the SIFT & PICK test, which involves lateral reading to evaluate what other sources say about the information you are reviewing and examining the source itself. UNESCO recommends asking questions that will help you to determine:
• Proximity: How close is the evidence to the phenomenon?
• Expertise: What credentials indicate the quality of the producer of the evidence?
• Rigor: How was the evidence collected?
• Transparency: What do you know about the evidence?

Sample Solution

Understanding Disinformation and Misinformation

Let’s break down the terms you’ve mentioned:

  • Circular Reporting: This occurs when multiple news outlets report the same information without verifying it from independent sources, creating a cycle of unverified information.
  • Critical Consuming: This involves actively evaluating information, considering its source, and questioning its accuracy and bias.
  • Critical Ignoring: Intentionally avoiding information that challenges one’s beliefs or worldview.
  • Confirmation Bias: The tendency to seek out and favor information that confirms existing beliefs.
  • Filter Bubbles: Algorithmic curation of content that limits exposure to diverse perspectives, reinforcing existing beliefs.
  • Motivated Reasoning: The tendency to reason in a way that supports pre-existing beliefs or desires.
  • Unconscious Bias: Implicit biases that influence decision-making and perceptions without conscious awareness.

Additionally, terms like:

  • Pink Slime: A derogatory term for a lean, finely textured beef product.
  • Deep Fakes: Highly realistic synthetic media generated using AI.
  • Cheap Fakes: Less sophisticated forms of manipulated media.
  • Liar’s Dividend: The idea that truth becomes less credible when lies are widespread.
  • Zombie Claims: Persistent false or misleading information that continues to circulate despite being debunked.

These concepts highlight the complex landscape of information and the challenges of discerning truth from falsehood.

To critically analyze information, consider these strategies:

  • Source Evaluation: Assess the credibility of the source, including its reputation, expertise, and potential biases.
  • Fact-Checking: Use reputable fact-checking websites to verify claims and identify misinformation.
  • Lateral Reading: Consult multiple sources to cross-reference information and identify inconsistencies.
  • Critical Thinking: Actively question the information presented, considering alternative perspectives and potential biases.
  • Digital Literacy: Understand how algorithms and social media platforms shape information consumption.

By employing these strategies, we can become more discerning consumers of information and protect ourselves from the negative impacts of misinformation and disinformation.

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