Samantha M.
Moderator Pick
No More Doom and Gloom
This may be controversial, but I'm not sure I agree with the doom and gloom part of the premise: "After all, it is no longer easy for citizens to identify credible information, engage in legitimate debate, or counter disinformation."
It's NEVER been easy to do these things, and now I think it's just more exhausting. Information (true or false) spreads faster, and the speed exacerbates what has always been a challenge into a phenomenon we're calling fake news. The tip of an iceberg.
For the librarians:
Q1: Trace information source. Pool collective wisdom (see what other viable sources are saying).
Q2: Purchase credible sources for collection; feature sources in programs, displays.
Q3: The librarian is a vetting agent of facts and sources, and aims to provide all points of view, as well as a place and opportunity for those points of view to convene.
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Comments (8)
I have read that throughout history mis/disinformation tends to appear more frequently in turbulent times (like the French revolution for example and the rumors that spread through the countryside about reviving the feudal system). Now is as turbulent as any time for sure. I agree that it is exhausting and finding and researching misinformation is a full time job that never stops.
I think it's a librarian's job to help people feel a little less exhausted, overwhelmed or alone when it comes to finding quality information, and to empower people to be better information seekers.
It's never been easier to get SO. MUCH. information --
There is no question that mis/disinformation has been around for a long, long time! I think the problem we have today is not necessarily worse than ever--but it IS quite different. The struggles we have with disinformation today are (as every librarian well knows) largely due, as you suggest, to the speed at which information can now be spread--and also to the sheer amount of information and resources that exist, and, related to both of these issues, the ease with which anyone can get around traditional
traditional..? filters? I think your response may have been cutoff (and the editing feature doesn't seem to work, in my experience) but great point about sheer amount of info. Is there more we can be doing as librarians? seems to be the question at the heart of this forum.
It is a common thought that there was a golden age of unbiased journalism, but the history of media would indicate that the golden age of Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow giving us an unbiased view of reality is the exception. We have lived in a world of yellow journalism and biased information more often than not. There isn't anything wrong with that. In fact it is more honest to acknowledge the bias than lie about it. Fair and balanced anyone? The consumer of media has to allow for the bias, and if possible, try to sample as many different points of view as possible. Uncle Walter isn't giving us the evening news anymore.
Samantha,
I agree with you that this is not a new thing, it has just become exponentially more difficult. I do think that over the years news sources have become less focused on being unbiased. Obviously the reporters are human and are therefore going to have some bias, but these days that bias is much easier to see and it is more extreme. Long ago, the idea was that the news consumer was not supposed to be able to recognize the reporters' personal views from the stories. That is almost gone today. Reporters clearly slant their stories, they use stress and intonation to show their opinions, and there is little attempt to get information to balance the stories.
I remember learning about yellow journalism, and I think bias has always been a part of reporting -- would have fun turning this into a debate topic and research project! Really compelled by your perspective! esp. "Long ago, the idea was that the news consumer was not supposed to be able to recognize the reporters' personal views from the stories."
Great observations. Yes!! I think one of the best and most important things we can do to help people become better consumers of information is to help them understand the complex concepts of bias and perspective. On a deeper level, people need to interrogate their own biases, perspectives, and even their ideologies, in order to think beyond superficial notions of "truth" and "fact."