Why do we believe in fake news?

Fake news - deliberately misleading information - insidiously infiltrate our media landscape, fostering confusion and undermining public trust. Misleading narratives find their way across social media platforms and online communication channels, infoxes spread on a global scale, impacting the way we perceive and understand the world around us.

The objective of the online course Fighting Fake News with discernment and critical thinking! ... in the age of AI, by Université de Lille is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of the information disorder which is a complex phenomenon. the course aims to equip participants with the skill to be vigilant and critical in order to limit the forms of manipulation at play in fake news.

Fallacies (errors, false beliefs) are deceptive arguments, seemingly true but fundamentally false, influencing our daily actions. Amplified by social media, these fallacies can lead to impulsive actions, such as mass withdrawal of funds from a bank, even if the information is untrue. The skill to identify these errors helps distinguish truth from falsehood, thus preventing the spread of false beliefs. Detecting fallacies implies critical thinking, preventing the spread of misinformation and fostering a more accurate understanding of reality.

The primary aim of disseminating false information is to deceive the reader, resulting in the cultivation of cognitive biases. These biases are thought patterns that shape our perception of the world influencing our judgments and decisions. Anchoring bias, selective bias, group bias, confirmation bias,... these are a few examples of the various cognitive biases at play. Navigating the complexity of information, our minds are often prone to predictable errors some of which have significant consequences.
Developing an awareness of these tendencies is a crucial initial step towards more critical thinking and informed decision-making. This, in turn, contribute to a more accurate understanding of the world.

Comprising eight modules, this e-learning course provides an insight into the phenomena of misinformation including, but not limited to definitions, typologies, and explanations. Educators, parents, trainers or teachers seeking to empower young individuals to spot false information and develop their critical thinking skills, this is an invaluable opportunity. Don’t miss the chance to find out more about this subject !

Fighting Fake News with discernment and critical thinking! ... in the age of AI
Université de Lille

Closing of registrations: February 28, 2024