Introduction
For the past six months, the violence in Palestine and Israel has dominated international news and rightly so. Tens of thousands of innocent people have died and are injured or missing, with millions more displaced and on the verge of famine. Since we get all of our information about the incident through media (none of us is living there right now or has been there; if you are – let me know!), it is important to think about the role media plays in our perspective of the issue.
Instructions
I would like you to submit a 300 – 400 word post regarding the role fake news and social media has to play in people’s perspective of the Palestine/Israel issue. In your post, please research and/or address the following:
What is a specific example of fake news regarding this issue that was very widespread? How much did it spread, where did the fake news originate, how has it affected people’s view of this issue, and do people still believe this?
Look at your own social media posts about this issue. About how much of your feed is about Palestine/Israel? Generally, what perspective/message does it seem to support?
Go online to another well known news source that supports a different view from yours. Are you surprised? Did you learn something new? Use lateral reading to see if the information/site you found is reputable.
When writing your post, please do the following:
Summarize your findings of the above points.
Find two to four sources that provide background information about this issue. These can be articles or videos. Provide the link and name of the source.
In a few sentences, explain why it is important to get accurate and contextual information about what is happening. What can happen if people have the wrong information?
In a few sentences, give your opinion about how you can make sure you’re getting accurate information about the history and current events of the issue.
Grading
This assignment is worth 40 points and will be graded on your inclusion of the four things I have asked for.
Additional Resources
Even these resources could be biased and/or wrong. I am providing them to you as a starting point; please use lateral reading.
Human Rights Watch: Real or Fake?Links to an external site.
Associated Press: Misinformation about the Israel-Hamas war is flooding social media.Links to an external site.
Al Jazeera: Analysis: Propaganda, deception, and fake news in the Israel-Hamas conflictLinks to an external site.
