Assignment

Background

The media plays a critical role in how we perceive the world around us. The media usually provides with either a signaling or a framing role with information in the world. The signaling role of the media tells us what we should be thinking about (i.e. it signals to us as to what we should be paying attention to). The framing role of the media, tells us how we should be thinking about the world (or it provides the context of how we should approach different things that are happening in the world). This last election has created a new challenge for the media. The accessibility of information has created the issue of "fake news". According to the Pew Research Center notes that about 88% of Americans believe that fake news has left Americans confused about the basic facts around current events. Almost 1 in 4 Americans have shared a news story that is fake (either purposefully or accidentally). As such it is becoming increasingly more difficult for people to navigate our political world when they do not know where to get their information from (or who they can trust when they have found information). Read/watch the following material and answer the critical thinking questions below.

Critical Thinking Question: What is the responsibility of the media (including Facebook, Twitter and the MSM) have to dispelling fake news? How can we overcome the problem with fake news and its influence on our political processes? Does the President play a role in this process? If so, what is it? If not, why doesn't he play a role?

Task

Your response should address the question and you need to take a position (either for or against) on the particular issue. Your response should make clear the side that you support and should provide evidence as to why you chose that side. Responses are not required to be a certain length, but do need to fully answer the critical thinking question.