Machine learning, blockchain technology could help counter spread of fake news

A proposed machine learning framework and expanded use of blockchain technology could help counter the spread of fake news by allowing content creators to focus on areas where the misinformation is likely to do the most public harm, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York.

Fox News settlement will do little to change perceived credibility of coverage, expert says

The most anticipated media trial in recent years ended with a $787.5 million settlement, and while it had the opportunity to set the tone for future defamation litigation, Virginia Tech media expert Megan Duncan says the outcome will have little impact on the perceived credibility of Fox News.   “Few people are willing to reassess their perceptions of the credibility of Fox News — whether they side with the news organization or believe it was in the wrong — because politically active people associate partisan news brands with their political identity,” Duncan says.

American University Experts Available to Comment on Congress Hearing on Fake News & Misinformation on Social Media Platforms

American University Experts Available to Comment on Congress Hearing on Fake News & Misinformation on Social Media Platforms What: Today, the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee and the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee are holding joint hearing on misinformation and…

Education Level, Interest in Alternative Medicine Among Factors Associated with Believing Misinformation

While many people believe misinformation on Facebook and Twitter from time to time, people with lower education or health literacy levels, a tendency to use alternative medicine or a distrust of the health care system are more likely to believe inaccurate medical postings than others, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

“Fake News” Went Viral After the Death of King James I

Alastair Bellany, chair of Rutgers University-New Brunswick’s history department, discusses how the death of one early-modern English king spurred a viral conspiracy theory that, through pamphlets and word of mouth, contributed to the execution of the next king – and whether parallels can be drawn to our own age of QAnon-fueled and politically driven lies about everything from vaccines to election integrity.

New initiative uses data science to confront the growing peril of disinformation

The Governance Lab (The GovLab) at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering announced a partnership with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that will focus on addressing a topic of growing public concern: disinformation. The new collaboration is part of The 100 Questions Initiative, an effort to identify the most important societal questions for which greater access to data and data science methods could find answers; in our current climate, some of the most pressing questions involve the spread of deceptive or unproven information.

Society is Rejecting Facts; Medical Researchers Can Help

Anecdotes, fake news and social media have created a skeptical and misinformed public who is rejecting the facts. A commentary says that medical researchers must help the public understand the rigorous process of science and help them to discern an anecdote from peer-reviewed scientific results. The best way to do this? By continuing to ensure integrity, rigor, reproducibility and replication of their science and to earn the public’s trust by being morally responsible and completely free of any influences.