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Trust Me, I’m Lying

Trust Me, I’m Lying

Quick look: Trust Me, I'm Lying

June 11, 2019

When I came across this book in a bookshop, it was only after receiving a text message from Elaine asking where I was and whether I’d be coming home any time soon that I managed to put it down. It was around the time that I’d attended a conference on fake news — in fact, it might even have been the same day. Anyway, I decided that this would be a great book to review for my newsletter, Digital Education, and the ICT and Computing in Education website.

This article is just a quick heads-up. The book arrived 10 minutes ago at the time of writing, so I’m not in a position to give an in-depth opinion. However, what I’ve read so far is quite shocking, even though probably obvious once it’s been pointed out.

For example, an article stating ‘… according to sources…’ sounds like it carries some authority. But the ‘sources’ could be the writer’s neighbour or just himself!

There are also interesting sections on blogs, and reporter services. I’ve actually thought of using one or two of those, but I’m somewhat put off now I have to say. And that’s especially the case since I’ve been given a clean bill of health by Newsguard. I’ll be reviewing them in Digital Education, and include more details about the review of this website, but here’s the gist: They have a team of journalists (people, not bots) who review websites according to 9 criteria. If you install the Newsguard extension to your browser, then any site they’ve evaluated will show up in a particular colour. A site that meets their criteria will show up as a green shield, like the green shield displayed in this toolbar:

Newsguard toolbar shield by Terry Freedman

Newsguard toolbar shield by Terry Freedman

And here’s their summary of their report on my website:

Newsguard summary, by Terry Freedman

Newsguard summary, by Terry Freedman

The relevance of this, of course, is that had I inadvertently used a dodgy service I’d not be worthy of such a report.

Anyway, I’ll be writing about fake news soon in Digital Education. So, subscribe if you don’t want to miss that. Here’s the link again: Digital Education.

If you’re interested in buying Trust Me, I’m Lying, click on that link to be taken to the Amazon UK website. Please note that this is an Amazon affiliate link. You won’t pay any more for the book, but I will earn a few pennies that will help me put food on the table for a wife and seven children. (They’re not mine, but we’re very close!)

(Er, that bit about seven kids was fake news by the way!)

More articles about fake news

Featured
Review: Breaking the news -- exhibtion
Dec 16, 2022
Review: Breaking the news -- exhibtion
Dec 16, 2022

It is easy to believe that ‘fake news’ is a modern phenomenon, brought about by social media and promulgated by politicians. Yet as the British Library’s event, ‘Breaking the News’ exhibition demonstrated, fake news – or that unforgettable phrase ‘alternative facts’ – have been features of news reporting for at least 500 years.

Dec 16, 2022
Fake news?
Nov 24, 2022
Fake news?
Nov 24, 2022

I’ve compiled a number of reviews of non-fiction books that either deal with helping people detect untruths (such as in so-called scientific research) or presenting something as true when, in fact, it isn’t.

Nov 24, 2022
Fake news and media literacy
Dec 1, 2021
Fake news and media literacy
Dec 1, 2021

I like to try and give people the benefit of the doubt, but is that always the right approach? Ambrose Bierce defined a cynic as someone who sees things as they are, and not as they ought to be.

Dec 1, 2021
16 articles and resources about fake news
Dec 21, 2020
16 articles and resources about fake news
Dec 21, 2020

The following links were included in a recent issue of my newsletter, Digital Education.

Dec 21, 2020
On this day #5: Review of Trust Me, I'm Lying
Oct 14, 2020
On this day #5: Review of Trust Me, I'm Lying
Oct 14, 2020

On 14 October 2019 I reviewed Trust Me, I’m Lying. It’s a book about how bloggers and mainstream media can be manipulated. It’s pretty sobering stuff.

Oct 14, 2020
Book Review: Critical Media Literacy and Fake News in Post-Truth America
Mar 23, 2020
Book Review: Critical Media Literacy and Fake News in Post-Truth America
Mar 23, 2020

Don’t let the country-specific title put you off. This is a very useful (and readable) book.

Mar 23, 2020
6 articles and 13 resources about fake news
Jan 9, 2020
6 articles and 13 resources about fake news
Jan 9, 2020

Here are some interesting articles, plus guides on how to check news on the internet, including photos and videos. Plus classroom activities.

Jan 9, 2020
Review: Trust me, I'm lying
Oct 14, 2019
Review: Trust me, I'm lying
Oct 14, 2019

In TMIL, Holiday demonstrates how easy it is to manipulate the news. A must-read for teachers of media or digital literacy.

Oct 14, 2019
Review of Newsguard
Oct 7, 2019
Review of Newsguard
Oct 7, 2019

Newsguard is a service that rates websites for honesty, transparency and trustworthiness. It evaluates websites against several criteria, such as whether information is gathered and presented responsibly. A browser extension will enable you to see at a glance whether or a not a site they have evaluated is trustworthy.

Oct 7, 2019
More fake news
Oct 1, 2019
More fake news
Oct 1, 2019

Since mentioning that I am working on a special fake news edition of Digital Education, I have come across a few more brilliant resources.

Oct 1, 2019
In Books in Brief, Quick Looks, Using and Teaching Computing & ICT, Digital Education Tags fake news, quick looks, review
← Technology Pedagogy and Education Association Conference newsWhy outside help can be useful in educational ICT or Computing →
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