How to Respond to Disinformation

By: The News Literacy Project via Anne Stone

The News Literacy Project, is a nonpartisan education nonprofit, that provides programs and resources for educators and the public. Their goal is to teach, learn and share the abilities needed to be smart, active consumers of news and information and equal and engaged participants in a democracy. We will be sharing articles from them to help us understand and deal with Misinformation and Disinformation.

When a friend or family member is posting what you believe is misinformation or disinformation, how can we respond without starting a showdown? We know that we should not be reposting the information, but what should we do?

Suggestions from the News Literacy Project are:

1. Be civil. Use an empathetic and respectful tone. Avoid being judgmental or simply telling someone they are wrong. If a person replies with aggressive or sarcastic language, don’t respond in kind.
2. Take your time firing off a knee-jerk response. It might be tempting, but pause and take a step back. Do your homework. Research the claim and find reputable fact-checking organizations or credible expert sources to share, which research shows is key to effectively correcting misinformation online. Remember: Two links are tougher to dismiss than one.
3. Find common ground. Try putting yourself in your friend or loved one’s shoes. Why might they have posted this? Did they have good intentions? Consider pointing out shared concerns or feelings in your response. Misinformation exploits our beliefs and values to elicit an emotional reaction. You can also focus on these underlying principles to establish your own good intentions in reaching out.
4. Lay out the facts. Rather than simply posting a link to a fact-check, clearly summarize the main findings of the debunk first, then add the link. Don’t let the conversation get derailed by unwarranted attacks on fact-checking organizations. Leading with the evidence and sharing links to more than one fact-check example can help you avoid being drawn into a fight about the organization itself.
5. Public or private? Decide how you want to post your response. Public comments can reach a bigger audience, but a private message may be more appropriate in some situations. Tip: Even if you opt for a private message, you can still leave a comment calling the original post into question (e.g., “Hmm. I’m not sure about this one.”)
6. Be patient (and persistent). Research shows we’re more likely to believe fact-checks from people we know. View fact-checking as an ongoing debate rather than a fight to “win” at all costs. Even when someone seems unconvinced, calling out problematic content over time can plant a seed of doubt and prompt loved ones to work through important questions. While one corrective reply may not stop friends and relatives from sharing misinformation, consistently speaking up can help them think twice before sharing.

Remember: Online trolls are not interested in honest debate. Don’t waste your time responding to their insults or chasing the moving goalposts. Be willing to walk away.

Here are some ways to start the conversation:

Oh, I saw this and initially thought it could be true, too. But… 

Hmm, this image/meme/article is kind of shocking, but I’m skeptical that it’s real…

This image looks like it may not be actually be what it seems. Here is a link to another version of the image, which shows something different. What do you think?