Evaluating Information

Which is most reliable?In Touch Weekly

National Enquirer

People

US Weekly

WHY?

Lesson 1:

An author’s reputation counts for a lot.

Example:

Meghan McCain, savvy young pseudo-politico, defends Republicanism to Larry King…

…Then lunches with Tila Tequila…?

"People may think we are so different, but she is a Scorpio and I'm a Scorpio, and we have very strong opinions about things," Tequila told Usmagazine.com.

Tila Tequila defending you to the press =

Example:

Creationism

Lesson 2:

Good information cites good sources

Example:

Sources?...

Spurious sources =

Example:

http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/salton/AustralianInlandWaters.html

Lesson 3:

People and organizations do NOT always tell you the truth about themselves

Example:July 25, 2008:

October 15, 2008:

Evasion =

Example:

Institute for Historical Review

Lesson 4:

What you see or read is NOT always real

Example:

Kim Kardashian’s airbrushed magazine cover

Altered =

Example:

Fake CNN News Story

Lesson 5:

Sometimes, people are just plain bonkers

Example:

Award-winning actor turned… hip-hop artist

Example:

Pop princess turned… umbrella vigilante

Example:

Child actress turned… hit-and-run perpetrator

Crazy =

Example:

Martin Luther King, Jr.

MORAL:

Think about:

WHO is giving you information WHY somebody is giving the

information to you WHERE they got their information WHAT you need to do with the

information

Photo and Website Credits: CNN US Magazine Daily Mail People ABC News The Smoking Gun Sound Off Column Fox News Media Bistro Weekly Standard Popcorn Nation Votelicio.us http://www.juniata.edu/services/library/linkswebeval/

cnnbushdeportmuslimstudents.html