“Benno’s TVs” by Stephen Coles

About the Studio

“It is now said that we live in a post-truth era—an era in which audiences are increasingly likely to believe information that appeals to their emotions and their personal beliefs, as opposed to seeking and accepting information that is regarded as factual and objective.” (Nicole A. Cooke, Fake News and Alternative Facts: Information Literacy in a Post-Truth Era, 2018, p.10)

 

PROMPT:

What exactly is meant by the term ‘fake news’, and what is its history? What do we mean by ‘post-truth era’? In a media landscape where (fake) news and (dis)information can be rapidly spread with serious consequences, what is the role of fact-checking and what are the possibilities for combatting the spread of disinformation?

 

DESCRIPTION:

In broadcast, online, and print media, the term ‘fake news’ has become something of a catchall, broadly used to refer to misinformation, disinformation, and in more troubling cases, a term used as a means to discredit political or ideological opponents. In this so-called post-truth era—where confrontations over what is fact and what is fake are increasingly fraught—the drive towards accountability and accuracy has taken on a new sense of urgency as journalists and media professionals seek to combat the spread of dis- and misinformation. Fact-checking aims to present clear, objective assessments of claims made by public and political figures. Doing so holds politicians, public figures, and institutions to account, sorting fact from fiction in a media landscape where a tweet can reach millions in a matter of hours.

This studio is a collaboration with RMIT ABC Fact Check, an organisation which seeks to determine the accuracy of claims made by those engaged in public debate. Through reading, viewing, discussion, and making, this studio will explore the challenges and the necessity of fact-checking. Students will also learn the basic skills of fact-checking by familiarising themselves with the RMIT ABC Fact Check methodology. We will explore the history and definitions of the term ‘fake news’ and the ways the meanings attached to this term have shifted over time. Students will be tasked with producing a creative response to a Fact Check article, working in small groups to research and create a prototype Fact Check presentation. We will explore the role of fact-checking in a post-broadcast and post-truth era, experimenting with new ways of presenting and distributing fact-checked information.

 

For more about RMIT ABC Fact Check, see here.

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