U.S. Government and Civics / Unit 10: Public Opinion, Media and Civic Participation
10.5 Media Literacy
Notes
Citizens need to judge whether information is accurate and complete.
- Separate news reporting (facts about events) from opinion (editorials, columns, commentary).
- Check the source: who created it, their expertise and their purpose (to inform, persuade, sell or entertain).
- Lateral reading: open other tabs to see what independent sources say about a claim or website.
- Look for evidence: named sources, data, links to original documents and dates.
- Misinformation is false information shared by mistake; disinformation is false information spread on purpose.
- Watch for emotional headlines, edited images and old stories shared as new.
- Primary sources (court opinions, laws, official data) let you check claims directly.
Practice
A student sees a shocking claim about a law online. Which step is the best way to check it?
Checking primary sources and independent reports helps confirm accuracy.
A newspaper column arguing that a city should build a new stadium is an example of:
Columns and editorials share the writer's views.
A website knowingly spreads a fake story to change how people vote. This is:
Disinformation is false information spread on purpose.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 10 test.