In this episode of 'What Is True,' hosts Alexa Battler and Chris Garbutt discuss the challenge of distinguishing fact from fiction in today's digital age, starting off with the classic Canadian 'House Hippo' ad campaign. The episode features librarians Nina Verishagen and Diane Zerr, who share insights from their text 'Disinformation: Dealing With the Disaster.' They explore historical and current methods of teaching media literacy, the evolution of misinformation, and the complexities of checking online sources. Key points include the importance of using fact-checking tools, understanding confirmation bias, and the necessity of critical thinking in the age of deepfakes and AI. The hosts emphasize that while media literacy begins with foundational skills like pausing before sharing, it ultimately encompasses deeper systemic issues including algorithms and propaganda.

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Read Nina and Diane's textbook for free.