Why Does Disinformation Work?

Jo Angela Oehrli, University of Michigan Learning Librarian, discusses different factors that enable successful disinformation. To continue that discussion, it’s important to know both what information you look at and what you’re responsible for sharing with others.

Action Activity: Consider how you’ve shared information lately: have you shared on a social media post? Emailed a news story to a family member? Had a conversation about a current event?

Pick one example, then answer:

• Why did I think this was important to share or talk about?
• Did I review the social media post or a news story before sharing?
• Did I add any personal perspective?
• Who was my audience?How did I think they’d react to the story?