Article 1: Crowdsourcing Truth and How Journalists can Avoid Spreading Corona virus Misinformation:Q and A with MIT Professor David Rand
This article by Clarke Merrefield was very insightful and put a light on what we need to be looking out for in misinformation especially in the current state we are at right now. Merrefield interviews Professor David Rand who brings up his project that he is currently working on which has to do with misinformation and COVID-19. He talks about how as we use social media and read news on these different platforms we need to be aware the headline, flag articles that are false, and if writing your own article speak the truth and don't mislead. Social media platforms are currently working to bring the accurate articles about the virus at the top of feeds and rely on third parties as well as users to bring to attention the false articles that bring nothing but panic or hope in something that is not true. After reading this article, I now will be more aware of the information posted and shared on Social Media. Also before I share an article I want to be sure it is accurate so I don't mislead anyone and be someone who spreads the problem. Since the majority of all people are at home most of their days and social media is where most will get their social interactions it is on us as well as the companies who run the social media platforms to be sure that we spread reliable and accurate information so everyone can make it through these hard times.
Article 2: How Journalists can Address Mistrust in Pandemic Coverage and Help "Flatten the Curve"
This article by Melissa Bailey explains how accurate information about COVID-19 can get to more people and have them be aware of what the current issues are. Bailey brings up that many people do not believe experts and because of this there is a divide in the information being sent out by all different outlets and companies. Bailey explains that there needs to be a clear message communicated that is simple and used by the majority of those that share information so that the majority of the people will be on board with what is said. Also this article brings up celebrities such as Tom Hanks explaining how he tweeted that he got COVID-19 which resulted in more people taking it seriously. I think that going forward we need to be thorough when taking in information but also have experts (doctors, scientists, etc.) opinions have more weight until otherwise proven wrong. Also we need to be cautious when taking information in from social media influencers and even some celebrities could be susceptible to providing false information. This article helped me understand that we need to look for credible, reliable, accurate information and accept it even if the facts are not what we want them to be. Also when sharing information or posting new information journalists and companies should use simple and clear terms to help the majority understand the situation. Even using simple charts, pictures, and graphs can be helpful when trying to get your message across. Hopefully as this social distancing continues the information is more clear and more accurate and if that doesn't happen then we as a group need to discern information more carefully so we don't believe something false.
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