TED-Ed: How false news can spread - Noah Tavlin

The video discusses the misattribution of a quote to Mark Twain, highlighting the prevalence of misinformation in today's media landscape. It explains circular reporting, where misinformation is spread and re-cited, and its impact on public health, such as the anti-vaccination movement. The video also covers how satire and user-generated content contribute to misinformation. It concludes with strategies to verify information and avoid sensationalist media.

What phenomenon is described when misinformation is published by one source and then cited by others as verified information?

• Parallel reporting

• Direct reporting

• Linear reporting

• Circular reporting

What was the impact of the 1998 pseudoscientific paper on vaccinations?

• It led to increased vaccination rates.

• It inspired an anti-vaccination movement.

• It was immediately discredited and forgotten.

• It had no impact on public opinion.

How can satirical articles contribute to misinformation?

• They can be mistaken for real news by some outlets.

• They are only published in scientific journals.

• They are never taken seriously by any publication.

• They are always recognized as jokes.

What role do wikis play in the spread of misinformation?

• They are only edited by experts.

• They are never used as sources by writers.

• They always provide verified information.

• They can introduce unverified facts into published articles.

What is a recommended strategy to slow down the spread of misinformation?

• Tracing the original source of a report

• Ignoring criticisms of information

• Trusting only user-generated content

• Avoiding all media sources