Professor calls for ‘fake news’ education for school pupils

An Abertay University academic has called for the introduction of ‘fake news’ education to avoid school pupils being “swept up in hysteria or fantasies”.

Professor Alex Law, whose research includes issues around social change and state formation, said it is vital to have informed citizens literate in the workings of the media and politics as the world navigates turbulent times.

The call came during the Abertay sociology expert’s talk on the fake news phenomenon at an Association for Media Education in Scotland conference in Edinburgh.

Presenting to an audience of school teachers and educators, he outlined a balanced view of the impact of social media and the importance of youngsters independently assessing the veracity of news media – including fake sites.

“It’s a worrying time because you can see where it leads,” said Professor Law.

“The real problem for me is the way that fake news frightens and worries and causes anxieties that escalate social and political problems. My major worry is when fear comes into it through deliberate misinformation to target some sections of society as the enemy.

“People need a more critical grasp of the dynamics. It’s thinking about educating students in media literacy so they themselves can put it into context.”

He added that many believed the instantaneous nature of news through social media had corrupted media literacy.

The conference, on Saturday. centred on how teachers can promote respectful, rational and evidence-based dialogue when politicians and media often gain support and audiences through the opposite.