BTN How to Spot Fake News - Recap

Why do people create fake news?

• To make people laugh

• To provide accurate information

• To help people learn

• To promote kindness

Answer explanation

People create fake news to entertain or provoke laughter, often using absurd or exaggerated claims. This choice highlights the humorous intent behind some fake news, distinguishing it from serious misinformation.

What is a possible impact of sharing misinformation?

• It can damage your credibility

• It can increase your popularity

• It can boost your income

• It can enhance your influence

Answer explanation

Spreading fake news can lead to embarrassment and make you look silly, especially if the information is proven false. This highlights the importance of verifying facts before sharing information.

A common problem with made-up news stories is that (a)  

• They can influence the real world
• They always tell the truth
• They are never shared
• They are always funny

Answer explanation

Made-up news stories can significantly influence public opinion and behavior, leading to real-world consequences. Unlike the other options, which are inaccurate, this highlights the serious impact of misinformation.

What did many newspaper owners realise about exciting news?

• It could sell more copies

• It was always true

• It was less popular

• It was difficult to print

Answer explanation

Many newspaper owners realized that exciting news could attract more readers, leading to increased sales and higher circulation. This understanding drove them to prioritize sensational stories to boost their profits.

What medium was exaggerated by newspapers to discredit their new competitor?

• Television

• Radio

• Internet

• Magazines

Answer explanation

Newspapers exaggerated the impact of radio to undermine its credibility as a competitor. They portrayed radio as unreliable and sensationalist, aiming to protect their own market share against this emerging medium.

For more accurate news, one should refer to a (a)   publication.

• Tabloid
• Broadsheet
• Blog
• Chatroom

Answer explanation

A broadsheet is typically associated with serious journalism and in-depth reporting, making it a more reliable source for accurate news compared to tabloids, blogs, or chatrooms, which may prioritize sensationalism or informal content.

What did the internet create according to the video watched on Wednesday?

• The golden age of conspiracy theories

• The decline of newspapers

• The rise of television

• The end of radio

Answer explanation

The internet has facilitated the spread of information, leading to the proliferation of conspiracy theories. This environment allows for rapid sharing and discussion, marking it as a golden age for such theories.

What has social media made worse according to the text?

• The quality of television programmes

• The spread of unreliable stories

• The popularity of radio

• The accuracy of newspapers

Answer explanation

The text indicates that social media has exacerbated the spread of unreliable stories, highlighting its role in disseminating misinformation more widely and rapidly than before.

Match the following events with the impact of fake news mentioned in the video.

• Event potentially affected by fake news

• The 2020 Olympics

• International sporting event held in Tokyo

• The 2018 World Cup

• Football tournament held in Russia

• The 2019 Super Bowl

• Annual championship game of the National Football League

• The 2016 US election

Answer explanation

The 2016 US election is highlighted as being potentially affected by fake news, as misinformation played a significant role in shaping public opinion and influencing voter behavior during that time.

What is a suggested method to verify the authenticity of a news story?

• Only read the headline

• Check the author's background and sources

• Trust any website that looks professional

• Believe stories that are too good to be true

Answer explanation

To verify a news story's authenticity, it's crucial to check the author's background and sources. This helps ensure the information is credible and well-supported, unlike just reading the headline or trusting appearances.