On International Day for Universal
Access to Information, UNESCO in Tanzania has launched a handbook on
Journalism, Fake News and Disinformation.
Developments in the last few
years have placed journalism under fire. A range of factors are
transforming the communications landscape, raising questions about the
quality, impact and
credibility of journalism. At the same time,
orchestrated campaigns are spreading untruths – disinformation,
mal-information and misinformation – that are often unwittingly shared
on social media.
Written by experts in the
fight against disinformation, this handbook explores the very nature of
journalism with modules on why trust matters; thinking critically about
how digital technology and social platforms are conduits of information
disorder; fighting back against disinformation and misinformation
through media and information literacy; fact-checking 101; social media
verification and combatting online abuse. This model curriculum is an
essential addition to teaching syllabi for all journalism educators, as
well as practising journalists and editors who are interested in
information, how we share it and how we use it. It is mission critical
that those who practice journalism understand and report on the new
threats to trusted information.
Information is the engine of
development in the 20th and 21st centuries. This is fuelled by
independent news media that can act as trusted guardians of public
interest, and as essential part of society’s checks and balances on
power. However, political, technological, economic and social
transformations are inexorably reshaping the communications landscape
and raising many questions about the quality, impact and credibility of
journalism. In addition, the information ecology is being contaminated
by orchestrated campaigns to spread untruths via disinformation. This
disruption is accompanied by manipulation of half-truths via
mal-information, and by the unwitting sharing of misinformation:
Journalism “Fake News” and Disinformation: A Handbook for Journalism Education and Training will
be valuable for journalism educators, trainers, students, practicing
journalists and others interested in the quality of information.
Political parties, health professionals, business people, scientists,
election monitors and others will also find it useful.
The handbook can be easily accessed online at: en.unesco.org/fightfakenews
Media enquiries:
Nancy Kaizilege, UNESCO Head of Communication and Information Sector nk.kaizilege@unesco.org
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