Understanding Journalism and False Equivalence

What is false equivalence in journalism?

• When two sides of an argument are shown as equal when they are not

• When experts agree on a topic

• When all arguments are proven to be true

• When journalists report only one side of a story

Why is it incorrect to give equal weight to all views on GMO safety?

• Because GMOs are harmful

• Because it makes the article more interesting

• Because non-experts may not provide factual information

• Because all views are scientifically valid

How do propagandists use breaking news to spread misinformation?

• By waiting for official reports

• By only using credible sources

• By reporting the truth

• By creating fake accounts to amplify false posts

What role do social media platforms play in spreading misinformation?

• They fact-check all information

• They limit the spread of all news

• They only share news from reliable sources

• They distribute more information than other institutions

What happens when news shows treat non-credible sides as factual?

• It reduces viewership

• It legitimizes false information

• It educates the public correctly

• It stops the spread of misinformation

What is Marisa Lagos' first tip to avoid false equivalence?

• Be skeptical and do your own fact-checking

• Always agree with the news

• Only watch news from one source

• Ignore all news outlets

Why should journalists check their sources?

• To ensure they are spreading accurate information

• Because it is not necessary

• To make their writing longer

• To fill up space in their articles

How can understanding the agenda of a source help?

• It makes the source less important

• It is not helpful

• It makes the news less credible

• It helps in assessing the validity of the argument

What does it mean to think like a journalist?

• Ignore different viewpoints

• Be skeptical and verify facts

• Only focus on popular news

• Accept everything you hear

What should you do before sharing a news article on social media?

• Make sure it supports your opinion

• Check if it's entertaining

• Share it immediately

• Think twice and verify the information