Debate and Discussion + Fake News, Dangers, and How to Fight It

debate

• formal contest between two or more groups

• has two opposing sides

• leads to a conclusion

• formal

• competitive

• persuasive with the audience

discussion

• exchange of knowledge

• no conclusion

• informal

• not competitive

• not persuasive

• it promotes critical and creative thinking

• debate promotes active learning

• it improves public speaking

• it helps in building self confidence

• it enhances leadership quality

• it boosts personality

• it improves team building skill

• better structure the thoughts

importance of debate and discussion

• style

• tone

• clarity

• ability to think logically and clearly

• body language

• self-confidence

• use of vocabulary

• interactive conversation

skills required for debating

• reasoning

• speaking

• time management

• creativity

• listening

• summarizing

skills required for discussion

• prepare well

• be confident

• introduce your audience

• know your audience

• speak slowly, charismatically, and clearly

• telling a story and giving illustration

• listening and taking good notes

• anticipating opposition’s question

• using a strong conclusion

tips and techniques of debate and discussion

infodemic

is synonymous with misinformation and disinformation, two different yet related concepts more widely known as ‘fake news’ and part of the so-called ‘information disorder’.

misinformation

“the dissemination of false information, even if not deliberate or malicious, based on unsubstantiated conjecture and in light of various considerations”

disinformation

spread deliberately and maliciously for personal gain or to cause damage to another party

• Illusory truth effect

• Source effect

• Primary effect

• Ideology effect

• Confirmation bias

• Dogma or religion effect

• Delusion effect

• Lack of reflective reasoning

• Bullshit receptivity

• Overclaiming

Why people believe in fake news according to cognitive psychology and behavioral research

Illusory truth effect

People tend to believe that the information is true when they are repeatedly exposed to it, increasing the perception of accuracy.

source effect

People tend to believe the information provided by those whom they perceive as credible

primary effect

People tend to form conclusive opinions as a result of information that they first acquired

ideology effect

People tend to believe in information that is aligned with their ideological predispositions.

confirmation bias

People tend to seek or interpret evidence that is aligned with their beliefs and values

dogma or religion effect

Dogmatic individuals and religious fundamentalists are more likely to believe false news

delusion effect

Delusion-prone individuals are more likely to accept fake news because they have a low tendency to engage in analytic and open-minded thinking.

lack of effective reasoning

People who often fail to distinguish truth from falsehood often lack careful reasoning and relevant knowledge.

bullshit receptivity

People who have no concern for truth are more likely to believe in fake news.

overclaiming

People who tend to “self-enhance” when asked about their familiarity with general knowledge tend to believe in fake news.

social media

driven by the so-called “attention economy”, whereby “anyone can become a vendor and profit from attention”

• prevention or treatment

• nature of covid 19

• conspiracy theories

• vaccine side effects and efficacy

Examples of myths related to COVID-19

(Republic Act 10951)

stipulated that the publication by any person of “false news which may endanger the public order, or cause damage to the interest or credit of the State” is punishable by law (Article 154, item 1).

• Increase awareness of available tools for fact-checking.

• Strengthen citizen engagement.

• Train children to be analytical early on in life to build a solid foundation.

• Make media literacy part of the basic education curriculum.

• View the fight against disinformation and misinformation as a civic and moral responsibility of all citizens.

What more can be done on fake news