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Library and Research Resources for M.S.N. Students

Get to know the the Library, its services, and resources for students in the M.S.N. program.

Fake News: What is it?

At the most basic level, fake news is false or misleading information that has be packaged or presented in a way that makes it look like it came from a legitimate news source. Because it looks legitimate, people easily believe the information and share with others creating a vicious cycle.

Watch this short video to learn how easily fake news can spread.

Different Types of Fake News

  • Pure fake news sites use fabricated stories to lure traffic, encourage clicks (click bait), influence or profit using intentionally deceptive, but highly intriguing, often sensational information.
  • Hoax sites also share false information with the intention to trick readers/viewers
  • Satirical sites present news with a comical, often exaggerated spin
  • Born digital images and edited images alter and often misrepresent visual reality

Valenza, J. (2016, November 26). Truth, truthiness, triangulation: A news literacy toolkit for a "post-truth" world. http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2016/11/26/truth-truthiness-triangulation-and-the-librarian-way-a-news-literacy-toolkit-for-a-post-truth-world/

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