What if it weren't true? How to detect disinformation and protect our right to information
A shocking news story, a video that goes viral, a message that outrages us and that we share without a second thought. It can happen to anyone. But What happens when the information we receive seeks to confuse us, fuel prejudices, or manipulate our opinion?
In a time when we are constantly bombarded with information, distinguishing what is reliable from what is not has become a daily challenge. And it's not just about avoiding being deceived: Getting well informed is also a way to defend our rights.
That is why, at the Foundation for Justice, we have developed a A practical guide to detecting disinformation and supporting independent journalism, a tool to understand what's behind hoaxes, learn to verify information and discover how our everyday decisions can contribute to a better-informed society.
👉 DOWNLOAD THE PRACTICAL GUIDE (SPANISH)
👉 DOWNLOAD THE PRACTICAL GUIDE (VALENCIAN)
Disinformation: much more than fake news
Not all incorrect information is misinformation. Sometimes we share incorrect information without intending to deceive. Disinformation, on the other hand, consists of deliberately spreading false or misleading information to confuse, manipulate, or influence what we think and do.
It can also use true information selectively or in a distorted way to provoke an emotional reaction and reinforce prejudices.
Does this sound familiar? An alarmist headline, a post pointing the finger at a group of people as the cause of a problem, or a message urging people to share something urgently before it's deleted can all spark our curiosity, fear, or outrage. And precisely These emotions can cause us to react before verifying whether what we are seeing is true.
The Social media also has an influence in how we get our news. Their algorithms can give more visibility to emotional, extreme, or controversial content, and contribute to us receiving messages that reinforce our own ideas. Added to this are the possibilities of artificial intelligence to create highly realistic images, voices, or videos that don't always represent real events.
In this context, pausing for a moment and asking ourselves questions is more important than ever.
How can you tell if information is reliable?
You don't need to be a journalist or have specialized knowledge to start detecting potential hoaxes. Incorporate some simple habits can help us share information more responsibly.
Before forwarding a news item or publishing content, we can ask ourselves:
- Did I read the full article or just the headline? A headline can simplify or distort what the content explains.
- Who publishes this information? It is advisable to identify the media outlet or person behind it and to know their background.
- Does it include verifiable sources and data? Claims must be supported by verifiable information.
- Do other reliable sources report the same thing? Comparing different sources helps to detect contradictions or incomplete versions.
- What emotion does it evoke in me? If content generates a lot of fear, anger, or indignation in me, it can be helpful to stop and check it before reacting.
Sometimes, the best option is not to share information until you have more data.
What do hoaxes have to do with human rights?
The Freedom of expression and the right to information are fundamental human rights. They allow us to search for, receive and disseminate information and opinions, and are essential for participating in social and political life.
But To make free decisions we need reliable information.
Disinformation can fuel polarization, justify discrimination, weaken institutions, and erode democracy. Therefore, it's not just a problem of what appears on our screens: it also affects coexistence and our ability to understand the reality around us.
A practical guide to better inform ourselves
The difference lies not in never making mistakes, but in learning to do better next time: Compare, question, seek reliable sources, and take responsibility when sharing information.
From The Foundation for Justice makes available to the public the Practical Guide to detecting disinformation and supporting independent journalism from a human rights perspective., Thanks to the financial support of the Valencia City Council, this project is designed especially for young people in Valencia, but its content and tools can be useful for anyone who wants to develop a more critical perspective on the information they consume and share.
Because You don't need to be a journalist to defend the right to information. Every time you check a news story before sharing it, avoid spreading misinformation, or support independent journalism, you contribute to a better society. fairer.