This document discusses the importance of media literacy in making sense of the constant news cycle. It begins with a quote from Thomas Jefferson emphasizing the importance of a free press. It then asks a series of multiple choice questions to test the reader's ability to identify fake news stories. Some examples of fake news headlines are provided. The document emphasizes that it is important to regularly check news sources for accuracy in order to avoid spreading misinformation. It concludes by asking the reader to comment on the importance of understanding how the media influences people in order to be informed citizens.

1. Are you for real?
Media Literacy: Making Sense of the 24-7 News Cycle

2. The basis of our government being the opinion
of the people, the very first object should be
to keep that right; and were it left to me to
decide whether we should have a
government without newspapers, or
newspapers without a government, I should
not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But
I should mean that every man should receive
those papers and be capable of reading
them.
Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Colonel Edward
Carrington, January 16, 1787

4. How competent are you at
spotting FAKE NEWS?
“...but no one was interested in the facts. They preferred the invention because this invention
expressed and corroborated their hates and fears so perfectly.”
― James Baldwin, Notes of a Native Son.

5. What do we mean by FAKE NEWS?
 Fake news is a type of yellow journalism or propaganda that consists of deliberate
misinformation or hoaxes spread via traditional print and broadcast news media or
online social media.[1] Fake news is written and published with the intent to mislead
in order to damage an agency, entity, or person, and/or gain financially or
politically, often with sensationalist, exaggerated, or patently false headlines that
grab attention.[
 Wikipedia, 1.09.2018

6. Round #1
 County to pay $250,000 in advertising to publicize
its tight financial situation with the hope that
citizens would vote to pay more in taxes.
 40,000 people spent Christmas Eve watching a
video game designer doing nothing.
 Black Lives Matter thug protests President Trump
with selfie... accidentally shoots himself in the face
 Vegans furious after police share cooked breakfast
photo to support farmers.
Which of the following
headlines is NOT true?

7. Round #2
 Passenger allowed onto flight after security
confiscate his bomb
 Muslims see a Christmas tree being set up, then
start attacking it!
 Fake cigarettes are being sold and killing people,
here's how to spot counterfeit packs
 22 Clinton Foundation Employees Arrested on First
Day of FBI Investigation
Which of these stories
is real?

8. Round #3  Christian Baker Screwed By Liberal Court Wins The
Lottery
 Pumpkin Spice Air Freshener Prompts Evacuation of
Md. School- the fire department and a hazardous
materials team were called.
 Montana Man Elected to Job He Didn’t Run for
 Library vote upholds decision to OK guns, but ban
wooden shoes
Which of these news
stories is fake?

9. Round #4
 Nation Rallies Around Ronald McDonald Statue
That Embodies Country’s True Heritage
 Trump ordered execution of Obama-pardoned
turkeys
 City unsure why the sewer smells
 Due to election results, Yale makes tests optional
Which of these stories
is real?

10. Round #5
 Meeting to hold open Meetings is Closed
 Lawmakers Start Quoting Meatloaf Lyrics Just
Because
 Suspected murder who evaded capture for 12
years by pretending to be mute loses voice from
underuse
 Democrats and Washington insiders run a child-sex
ring
Which of these is an
example of fake
news?

11. What say ye?
Virginia man wearing
“Trust Me” shirt
arrested for stealing
car, police say.
NOT Fake News!!!!!

12. How can I identify FAKE
news?
Practice these steps
regularly so that
checking news stories
for accuracy
becomes a habit.

13. Why is this important?
According to social
psychologist, Jonathan
Haidt, our brains are
naturally programmed to
believe things that confirm
our membership in social
groups.
Jonathan Haidt
on 'post truth' and 'fake news' buzzwords

14. How can I help to stop the
spread of fake news?
IF IT ISN’T TRUE…(or
you suspect it may not
be true) DON’T SHARE
IT!!!

16. We are preparing for a Talking Turkey
discussion on __________________ .
Comment on the following question on the
First Freedom Wall:
What students need is "a clear awareness
of how the media influences, shapes and
defines their lives."
Richard Riley, US Secretary of Education,
December 13, 1995
Do you agree? Disagree? Is having
knowledge of how the media works
important to being a good citizen?