Welcome to this session ☺

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Please mute your microphone

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If you want, introduce yourself in the chat (tell us your name and where you’re from)

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The session will begin shortly

Openness

in the room

Keep the conversation

Right to pass

assumptions

Make no

Listen to others

Non-judgmental approach

language

Using

Asking questions

and advice

Seeking help

Fake news and biases

spotting biases

How would you define ‘fake news’?

Can you think of examples?

Fake News

Fake news refers to articles or posts that appear to be factual, but which contain intentional lies, pretending to be facts, which are intended to influence people, attract viewers, or deceive them (e.g propaganda)

Real or Fake?

“Rock is the best music on earth”, says rock artist

Fake news or not? �

Trick!

This isn’t fake news, this is �what we call ‘biased writing’

Biased writing occurs when a writer shows favouritism or prejudice towards a particular opinion, instead of being fair and balanced. It is usually used to push people towards �a particular point of view.

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Types of biases

Positive bias = exaggerated praise for the subject being written about

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Negative bias = attacking the subject matter and highlighting the reasons why it is bad

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Balanced or neutral perspective = the opposite of biased, this type of writing doesn’t include an opinion but is instead neutral and factual.

• How often and where do you read or hear biased things?

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• What are some different reasons for using bias?
• What impact could biased writing have on the person or community who reads it?

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Middle ground fallacy

“Assuming that the "middle ground" between two ‘extremes’ is necessarily correct just because it is the middle ground.”

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Example:

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Person A: Climate change is not real, we shouldn’t do anything about it

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Person B: Climate change is an emergency, we should take immediate, radical measures to tackle it

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Middle ground: climate change is somewhat of a problem, we should take some steps to address it in the future

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Your personal experiences

• What are some of our own biases?
• Where do biases come from?
• Is it easier to recognise biases that we disagree with, than those we agree with?

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How can we spot biases?

How can we spot biases?

• Be open minded and ready to change your mind

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• Always question and be critical of what you read

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• Read different news sources to get the full picture

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• Decide what sources of information are more reliable

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• Double check information you read

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• Think about biases the writer might have

Support Networks

Want more support or advice? �Why not try accessing some of the following websites:

• Childline – www.childline.org.uk
• The Mix – www.themix.org.uk
• Youth Access – www.youthaccess.org.uk
• Relate – www.relate.org.uk (Help for children and young people section)
• Samaritans – www.samaritans.org (England, Scotland, Wales)
• Thinkuknow – www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Thank you for participating! ☺

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Check out our new website DreamBigAtHome: https://dreambigathome.uk/

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To support Woodcraft Folk during lockdown, you can donate here: https://dreambigathome.uk/donate/

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