In today’s world, people get information from many different mediums, including but not limited to TV, the internet, and social media. Not everything they see or read is true, however. This is particularly important for military veterans, who can be targets of misinformation campaigns by adversaries such as Russia or China. Veterans must remain vigilant about the sources of their information and serve as steadfast leaders for the American people.
The skill of determining the difference between what’s real and what’s not is developed over time by those who seek truth rather than believe what is in front of them. Sometimes information spreads faster than anyone can imagine. A questioning mind can reduce chaos in the spreading of information and helps us as America’s military veterans in making sound decisions and staying informed.
The Fundamentals
Misinformation: Mistakes Happen
Sharing things that aren’t true without knowing it, this is called misinformation. It seems to happen on a larger scale with social media and the ease of hitting a ‘Share’ button. Suddenly a story that is not vetted is being shared on hundreds of user’s feeds as current news. As military veterans, we must take responsibility for the information we disseminate and vet the stories before we share it among our community. While the person who shared it originally should be the one determining the credibility of the story or event, this responsibility seems to be neglected.
Malinformation: Hurtful Truths
Malinformation is when true information is shared to cause harm. This malicious act involves sharing private information that should stay private and is done so to hurt someone. The idea of classified information is nothing new to military veterans, but these days, the information can be spread far and wide and quick. It happens often, sometimes even by an unknown source such as a scammer. Malformation is blackmail on a large scale or brought to light without the originator’s permission.
Disinformation: On Purpose Lies
Disinformation is false information created and disseminated on purpose. Like malformation, this is trouble and meant to be so. The reason this can cause problems is because it’s hard to know what to believe. As military veterans, it’s difficult to see the freedoms we defended used so maliciously, but we must not give in to the disservice. Experienced fact-checkers aren’t vetting every story on every source of information out there, so deterring harm caused by disinformation can be difficult to achieve. The cost of negligence can be devastating and cannot be commonplace.
How to Stay Informed
It’s important to be careful about what we believe and what we as military veterans share, as people are looking as stewards of patriotism and influence.
Here are some tips to help when vetting information:
- Uncover the Source: Always hunt for where the information is coming from. Trusted news websites and official sources are more likely to be accurate. Particularly outlets which are notably unbiased. Refer to resources such as the Media Bias list compiled by AllSides Technologies Inc., who state that “hidden media bias misleads, manipulates and divides us.”
- Look for Evidence: Truthful information usually comes with proof. If a story has facts, numbers, or expert opinions, it’s more likely to be true. The presented information results in an informed conclusion rather than an opinion or false information.
- Question Everything: If something seems unbelievable or too good to be true, it might be. Ask if the information makes sense and if other trusted sources are saying the same thing. Multiple sources increase credibility and further validate information. This is when the Media Chart would be helpful. Start at the top of the list and read stories from trusted news sources. The further down and further left or right you go, the less trusted and unbiased the outlets become.
- Validate Before Disseminating: Don’t be so quick to hit that ‘Share’ button or speak the information as fact until you’ve done some investigating. It’s better to wait and find out the truth than to spread something that might be false. It’s likely to spread fast, and it’s better to get it right from the start rather than spread something that isn’t completely true or proven. Snopes is an internet reference source for fact checking news stories. Additionally, FactCheck.org was awarded by the Society of Professional Journalists in 2023 for their fact-checking expertise. Media agencies Reuters and AFP also operate their own fact-checking websites.
Resources
Here’s a collection of various resources and initiatives dedicated to promoting accurate information, ethical journalism and media literacy. It features tools for evaluating news sources, identifying logical fallacies, and fact-checking, as well as organizations supporting informed decision-making and combating misinformation in specific communities.
AD Fontes Media Bias Chart
The Ad Fontes Media Bias Chart is a visual tool that evaluates and categorizes various news sources based on their reliability and political bias. It helps readers quickly identify the trustworthiness and potential biases of different media outlets, promoting informed consumption of news.
Master List of Logical Fallacies
The Master List of Logical Fallacies is a comprehensive resource that outlines common errors in reasoning used in arguments and discussions. By understanding these fallacies, individuals can better evaluate the validity of claims, avoid faulty logic, and engage in more rational and effective debates.
Snopes Internet Reference Source
Snopes.com is a trusted online resource dedicated to fact-checking and debunking myths, rumors, and misinformation. With a team of researchers and writers, Snopes provides thorough investigations and evidence-based answers, helping users verify the accuracy of information circulating online and promoting informed decision-making.
FactCheck.org
FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to monitoring the factual accuracy of statements made by politicians, public officials, and various interest groups. Through rigorous research and analysis, FactCheck.org aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics, providing citizens with reliable information to make informed decisions.
Reuters Fact Check
Reuters Fact Check is a division of Reuters that investigates and verifies the accuracy of widely circulated information, news stories, and social media claims. By applying rigorous journalistic standards and thorough research, Reuters Fact Check aims to debunk misinformation and provide readers with reliable, fact-based assessments of current events and viral content.
AFP Fact Check
AFP Fact Check is a service provided by Agence France-Presse (AFP) that aims to verify the accuracy of information circulating online, including news stories, social media posts, and viral claims. Utilizing a global network of journalists and rigorous research methods, AFP Fact Check identifies and debunks false information, helping to ensure that the public has access to truthful and reliable news.
Poynter Institute for Media Studies
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies is a renowned nonprofit journalism school and research organization dedicated to advancing ethical, professional, and innovative practices in journalism. Through training programs, seminars, and research initiatives, Poynter supports journalists, educators, and media leaders in their pursuit of excellence in reporting, ensuring a well-informed and engaged public.
PsychArmor: The Battle for Truth on the Homefront
PsychArmor: The Battle for Truth on the Homefront is an initiative by PsychArmor Institute focused on combating misinformation and disinformation that affects military families and veterans. By providing education, resources, and support, PsychArmor aims to empower individuals to discern factual information, protect themselves from misleading narratives, and foster a well-informed veteran community.
In this age of artificial intelligence and rapidly evolving technology, it is imperative that we, as members of military and veteran communities, understand the importance of information integrity and how to recognize false information. In collaboration with the National Consortium on the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism as part of The Veterans Preventing Misinformation and Violence Project, We the Veterans and Military Families created this short course to detail key insights about information integrity, how it affects us all, and what we can do about misleading information. Together, we can continue to play a critical role in strengthening American national security.