Unit 4: Impacts of False and Misleading Content on Individuals and Society
Last update:11 April 2024
Key Topics
- Impact of misinformation and disinformation on trust in journalism (Media)
- Disinformation & Democracy (including Elections. See “”, UNESCO World Trends Report)
- Misinformation & the Economy
UNESCO
Learning Objectives
After completing this unit, educators will be able to:
- Analyse the impact of misinformation and disinformation on public trust of news media organizations
- Elaborate how the 'disinfodemic' has affected health-seeking behaviour and practices especially of parents and young people
- Illustrate how disinformation techniques have affected citizens' participation in governance including elections
- Explain how various types of misinformation can affect the economy
Pedagogical Approaches and Activities
In summary: as discussed earlier in this Curriculum (Part 1), various pedagogical approaches are possible. Please review the list in Part 1 and decide which approach to apply to the suggested Activities below and others that you may formulate. A few examples are listed below. See Part 1 for others and more detailed guidance about them.
- Case Studies/Case Examples of Common Forms of False and Misleading Content
- Issue-Inquiry Approach
- Research
- Production
- Content/Context Analysis
- Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Ask each pair or group to interview public health offcials/workers on the impact of the 'disinfodemic' on health- seeking behaviour and health practices of individuals especially parents particularly on COVID-19 pandemic prevention, immunization (vaccination), and other priority health issues. Interview topics may include common misinformation and disinformation on health concerns and strategies to address the ‘disinfodemic’
- Read the executive summary of, . Write an essay/blog or produce a vlog on persuasive communication techniques that the “architects of networked disinformation” used in mobilizing populist sentiment in favour of agendas of politicians. You may interview localexperts to provide comparison to local context in your essay/blog or vlog. (Note: full report is also available .
Assessment & Recommendations
- Written examinations
- Essays, reflection and reaction papers to lectures, case studies, readings
- Production of information-education-communication materials (e.g., posters, brochures, infographics, social media cards, vlogs)
- Research paper
- Participation in group learning activities
- Investigative story/report
Topics for Further Consideration
- Misinformation and the sustainable development goals
- The right to privacy
- Theories of cognitive biases
- Truth in advertising & public relations