1. Despite the many tools and tips that are available to fact-check stories, misinformation and disinformation continue to spread. According to the video, Gordon Pennycook (assistant professor of behavioral science at Regina University) believes that this occurs because social media primes people to be “lazy thinkers,” and that multiple exposures to mis- and disinformation condition people to believe what they read and view. Taylor Owen (assistant professor of public policy at McGill University) argues that social media rewards divisiveness and enraged engagement. What are the recommendations offered to help us become more savvy consumers of news?

2. What are some of the consequences of people sharing mis- and disinformation?

3. Search social media or other online news sources for an election-related story that has been flagged as false. Using the steps of the critical process outlined here (description, analysis,interpretation, evaluation, and engagement), further examine the story you have chosen:
Description: Read the entire news story. What is the story about? What is the URL?

Analysis: Is the organization promoting/publishing the story familiar to you? What can you find out about the organization?

Interpretation: Is the organization promoting/publishing this story reputable? Are other reputable outlets reporting the story, too? If there are photographs used in the story, conduct a reverse image search on them. What does a reverse image search reveal about the photos? Were the photos originally used in a different article or source?

Engagement: If you read, view, or listen to a false or misleading news story, report your findings on the platform where you discovered the story. Do some real fact checking, and hold the creators, message posters, and platform accountable. Alert friends and relatives to any misinformation or disinformation that they might be sharing.