In a world where information is abundant and easily accessible with everyone being a potential publisher on social media platforms, the ability to discern truth from falsehood is more important than ever. Accessibility at the click of a button can pose a significant threat in the form of disinformation challenging the transparency and fairness of information. According to Bontridder and Poullet (2021), social media platforms have been used extensively to sway public opinion, especially during the 2016 US presidential elections. We have also seen similar activities in other countries, not only during elections but also concerning health information, climate change, social issues, wars and conflicts, etc. This is why improving media literacy and understanding the role of AI in combating disinformation is more important than ever.

Media literacy isn’t a fancy term; it’s a critical skill that impacts our lives. It empowers us to critically evaluate the vast amount of information we encounter while surfing online and helps us to separate facts from fabricated content. By honing these skills, we can protect ourselves from falling victim to fake news and misleading narratives. But why is this so important?

Imagine scrolling through your social media feed and coming across a sensational headline that sparks a strong emotional reaction. Sharing that headline without verifying its authenticity is easy. This is how false information spreads like wildfire. A study by Vosoughi, Roy, and Aral (2018) found that false news spreads faster and more broadly than true news on Twitter – likely to be the same regardless of social media platform. Media literacy can function as a barrier against this trend, encouraging us to pause, question, and verify before we share.

While technology has eased the spread of disinformation, we at Fact Finders Pro (FFP) want to develop tools that help combat it with advanced algorithms and AI. However, technology alone isn’t enough. It must be paired with media literacy skills so that people will better understand the need to use such tools effectively. Take the example of deepfakes AI-generated videos that can make people appear to say or do things they never did. As Chesney and Citron (2019) highlight,  deepfakes pose a real threat to democracy and national security. Media literacy can help individuals recognize and critically assess such content, reducing its potential impact.

Real-Life Applications and Success Stories

We already see some encouraging examples of how media literacy can help combat disinformation. Countries like Finland have recognized the importance of media literacy and integrated several programs into their education curriculum starting with pre-school. In addition to their efforts, they were ranked No. 1 of the 41 European countries combating misinformation according to a survey by the Open Society Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria (Gross, 2023).

Furthermore, in the last few years, more policymakers from different states in the U.S. have taken a stance to pass bills to prioritize media literacy in k-12 schools. According to a 2023 report by Media Literacy Now 19 states have taken legislative action to incorporate media literacy education.

Not only that, various organizations worldwide are leading from the front to tackle growing disinformation online, and we need more such organizations who will take an active role in this fight. There is no doubt that navigating the vast sea of information can be challenging, and verifying the authenticity of information is even harder. However, media literacy skills, combined with advanced technology, can significantly aid in navigating this complex landscape.

At Fact Finders Pro, we are committed to enhancing media literacy and helping individuals become savvy consumers of digital content.

References

Bontridder N, Poullet Y. The role of artificial intelligence in disinformation. Data & Policy. 2021;3: e32. doi:10.1017/dap.2021.20

Vosoughi, S., Roy, D., & Aral, S. (2018). The spread of true and false news online. Science, 359(6380), 1146-1151.

Chesney, R., & Citron, D. (2019). Deepfakes and the New Disinformation War: The Coming Age of Post-Truth Geopolitics. Foreign Affairs, 98(1), 147–155.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/26798018

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/10/world/europe/finland-misinformation-classes.html

https://medialiteracynow.org/document/u-s-media-literacy-policy-report-2023/