SPOT Fake News Online program launches September 16

On Monday September 16, News Media Canada will launch SPOT Fake News Online, a media literacy tool designed to help Canadians ‘SPOT’ fake news online by asking four critical questions.  The launch includes an educational video available on a new microsite, www.spotfakenews.ca and www.vraioufauxenligne.ca.

News Media Canada members will be supporting the program with a national advertising campaign in print/digital newspapers as well as online news sites.

Fake news is often used as an umbrella term for misleading, false or fabricated information. It can surface in different shapes, sizes and formats: from false stories, to manipulated photos or altered videos. The term fake news is often used incorrectly, to discredit or dismiss information that people don’t like or agree with. SPOT Fake News Online is intended to help build citizens’ critical thinking and preparedness and increase their resiliency to disinformation.

To watch the video and learn more about how to SPOT Fake News Online, visit: www.spotfakenews.ca / www.vraioufauxenligne.ca on Monday September 16.

The SPOT Fake News Online program is funded by the Government of Canada as part of Canadian Heritage’s Digital Citizen Initiative.

According to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism, Pablo Rodriguez, having access to accurate, diverse and relevant news is crucial to our democracy. In response to the increase in disinformation published online and through social media, our government has made it a priority to help equip citizens with the tools and skills needed to critically assess online information.