Can we learn to spot misinformation? 22-year-old Tyler Robinson has been identified as the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk. But before him, social media blamed Michael Mallinson, a Canadian pensioner.
Innocent man blamed for Kirk shooting
False accusations: After being incorrectly named online as having shot Charlie Kirk, people accused Canadian Michael Mallinson of being 'pure evil', a 'liberal boomer lunatic', and a 'far-left extremist' with a Ukrainian connection. Comprehension quiz
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What is the definition of “casualty” as it is used in the text?
A: Someone who is severely injured in an accident or battle.
B: A person who is wrongly targeted by something negative, such as a smear campaign.
C: Someone who causes harm to others through their actions.
D: A person who is killed in a violent event.
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Which word or phrase has the closest meaning to “torrent”?
A: Forceful stream
B: Drizzle
C: Slight trickle
D: Calm
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Why was Michael Mallinson wrongly identified as the suspect in the crime?
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According to the text, what is the ‘S’ in the Sift method and why is it important?
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Identify two reasons from the article why it can be difficult to spot misinformation.
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In your own words, explain the difference between misinformation and disinformation as implied by the text.
Answers
Tap to reveal
1. B, 2. A, 3. He was targeted because fake social media account posing as a news outlet falsely claimed he was the shooter., 4. Stop, 5. Several reasons., 6. Based on the text, misinformation is false or inaccurate information that is spread, regardless of intent, whereas disinformation is implied to be deliberately false information created to deceive or mislead.
1. B, 2. A, 3. He was targeted because fake social media account posing as a news outlet falsely claimed he was the shooter., 4. Stop, 5. Several reasons., 6. Based on the text, misinformation is false or inaccurate information that is spread, regardless of intent, whereas disinformation is implied to be deliberately false information created to deceive or mislead.
Glossary
Firebrand - A person who is very passionate about something.
Sniper - Someone who shoots at people from a place where they cannot be seen.
Ecosystem - A complex network of living things that rely on each other to survive.
Disinformation - False information intended to mislead, including propaganda, which all too often encourages the spread of misinformation, fake news spread by mistake. It is contrasted with misinformation, which may be spread accidentally.
Adversaries - Rivals or enemies.
Misinformation - Incorrect or misleading information unintentionally presented as fact. It can be contrasted with disinformation or deliberate lies.
Hyperrealistic - Something is depicted with such extreme detail and accuracy that it appears more real than reality itself.
Deepfakes - This technique uses artificial intelligence to change the identity of a person in an image or a video — or to make it appear that a person is saying or doing something that they never said or did.
Sensationalism - Presenting events or stories in a way that is exaggerated, shocking, or emotionally charged to attract attention and gain audience share.
Mire - A difficult and messy situation, or deep, wet, sticky mud.
Reputable - Respected and trusted by most people.