We’ve put together this special issue of Get Smart About News to help you navigate news and other information about the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump that also left one rallygoer dead. As facts about the shooting continue to come to light, you and your loved ones are likely to encounter one of the many pieces of misinformation and conspiracy theories that are swirling online. We hope you find our analysis and free resources helpful as you process the weekend’s events.
Trump assassination attempt: Three news literacy takeaways
Major breaking news events have a way of crystallizing the fundamental differences between standards-based journalism and the torrent of unfiltered information on social media. But that’s only if we’re paying close attention to the distinctions and resist the siren songs of opportunists, propagandists and conspiracy theorists echoing through our feeds.
As shocking as the assassination attempt on Trump was, the information aftermath of the tragic event followed a well-worn pattern: While news organizations worked to verify even the most basic details of what happened, people around the world turned to social media for answers. What they found, instead, was an almost irresistible mix of raw footage, false and sensational claims, reckless speculation and psychologically appealing accusations of conspiracy.
Here are three breaking news literacy takeaways from Saturday’s shooting:
Misinformation proliferates in proportion to public curiosity and attention. Expect breaking news events — particularly tragic, violent incidents — to produce an outpouring of wild conjecture and falsehoods disguised as compelling developments. As tempting as it might be to make assumptions or to amplify claims about responsibility, it is best to wait for verified information from credible sources in a position to know the information they’re providing.
Opportunists will seek to exploit and capitalize on the moment. Understand that zealous partisans, ideological actors, trolls and conspiracy theorists will seize on the chance to advance their agendas and build their following — often from behind the shield of anonymity. They will blame their political opponents, concoct absurd but enticing conspiracy theories, and relish in contributing to the chaos and confusion.
News coverage will unfold in real time — and be mischaracterized. Breaking news scenarios put a spotlight on the practice of journalism, showing how newsrooms resist assumptions and exercise restraint as they work to verify even the most fundamental details. Major events also force journalists to work more quickly than usual, which means that some initial coverage will almost certainly fall short of its intended ideals. But while earnest criticism of breaking news coverage is always important, it’s essential to be wary of bad faith attacks — for example, by those presenting screenshots of the earliest headlines and mischaracterizing them as evidence that news media are conspiring to downplay the event or selectively withholding facts.
Here are some of our top reading and listening picks to help you keep the news literacy implications of this event in mind and avoid unintentionally spreading confusion as the story develops.
NewsLit takeaway: Breaking news events, especially those involving political violence, are frequently exploited by bad actors seeking to sow division and confusion. After a failed assassination attempt on Trump, hashtags like #fakeassassination and #stagedshooting quickly began trending on social media, and a tech firm cited by The Associated Press found that 45% of the accounts with those hashtags were bots.
In moments of uncertainty, it is important to get information from trusted sources. Identifying news outlets that aspire to the standards of quality journalism and following them on social media can surface more accurate reports. Remember, it is crucial to investigate the source — especially an unfamiliar account — before sharing.
Featured video
For more news literacy tips on breaking news events — like seeking multiple sources 📰 and doing a 🔍 search — check out this NLP TikTok video.
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