CDM 6325

Within today's diverse communication context - and due to a number of factors - there has been an increase in the circulation of biased, polarized or even untrue information on current issues, a phenomenon that has been discussed for some years in the public sphere under the term "fake news". Fact-checking organizations are at the epicenter of the thorough examination of the information that appears in the -mainly online- public sphere, and with the main goal of combating disinformation. These organizations offer an assessment of the accuracy of verifiable information, which appears in the public sphere either as statements, or as news/reports of events or statements, through the investigation of primary and/or secondary sources.  

This course aims to provide students of the Department with:  

1. the necessary knowledge, in order to understand the phenomenon of misinformation, especially on topical issues, and 
2. the necessary skills, so that they can methodically check a piece of information for its validity. 

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:  

• Understand the different forms of misinformation that can be found in the public sphere
• Assess the effects of misinformation on public debate 
• Understand the capabilities and limitations of public information validation. 
• Conduct a validity check on public statements, news and any kind of information published in traditional and new media.