Menu

Adams discusses covid rumors in New York Times piece

NLP’s Senior Vice President of Education Peter Adams discusses misinformation and conspiracy theories in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic with The New York Times in the Feb. 12 piece Get Wise to Covid Rumors.

During this pandemic, spreaders of misinformation have targeted people by using everything from printed newsletters to viral videos. But you’re most likely, said Mr. Adams, to encounter false information when it’s shared by people you know and care about — even if they’re doing it accidentally. Spreaders of false information are relying on that fact,” the article notes.

The reporter advises readers to keep in mind that misinformation is shared for the benefit of the person creating it, not the consumer. “Some individuals who share or create false information ‘are just looking for prominence online,’ said Mr. Adams. ‘They’re looking for attention, likes and shares.’ Others have been seduced by larger conspiracy theories with long histories, like the anti-vaccine movement, and may genuinely believe they are trying to help,” the article concludes.

 

 

More Updates

NLPeople: Tracee Stanford, Senior Manager of Professional Learning

Tracee Stanford Chicago 1. What led you to the news literacy movement?  My journey into the news literacy movement has always been guided by my strong connection to youth and mission-based work. Having worked in television news as a reporter and producer, I gained a first-hand understanding of the importance of accurate, ethical journalism. I…

Updates

In AP story, NLP calls out end of fact-checking at Meta

The New Literacy Project’s expertise was cited in an Associated Press article on Meta’s decision to end fact-checking efforts on its platforms:   “Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to end Meta’s fact-checking program not only removes a valuable resource for users, but it also provides an air of legitimacy to a popular disinformation narrative: That fact-checking is…

NLP in the News

Insider Spotlight: Cathy Collins

Welcome to the Insider Spotlight section, where we feature real questions from our team and answers from educators who are making a difference teaching news literacy. This month, our featured educator is Cathy Collins from Boston, Massachusetts, where she is a library media specialist.

Updates