Local 12: How to spot misinformation about the Israel-Hamas war
UC professor says outrage can be a tool of manipulation
Misinformation about the war between Israel and Hamas is abundant online, but there are ways to avoid falling for fake news, a University of Cincinnati professor told Local 12.
Many people have turned to social media for real-time updates about the conflict in Israel and Palestine. However, people should maintain some skepticism about what they're seeing online, said Jeffrey Blevins, PhD, a professor in UC's Department of Journalism and School of Public and International Affairs.
“If you see something and you are outraged by it, instead of just leaning into that outrage, you should be skeptical,” Blevins said. “Is someone trying to persuade me, manipulate me, to believe something that is not necessarily true?”
To avoid falling for misinformation, look to accredited news institutions for accurate information. Big news and horrific stories likely will be reported on by multiple outlets, so be wary of stories from a single source. Reverse image searches also can help determine if photos are legitimate.
Also, be wary of information that purports to come from a legitimate news organization but in reality is disinformation.
“So one of these videos for instance, it looks like it comes from BBC, which of course is reputable news outlet,” Blevins said. “But essentially they just took BBC’s logo and put it on this video which falsely suggests, I mean it looks like a news report, but it is suggesting that Ukraine had provided the weaponry to Hamas to help pull off this attack in Israel.”
Featured image at top: Jeffrey Blevins, PhD, professor in UC's Department of Journalism and School of Public and International Affairs. Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
History Department Lecture
January 9, 2002
Lecture by Allan W. Winkler, Miami University, Oxford on "Urban America in World War II: Cincinnati as an example" at the Cincinnati Museum Center at 7:30pm.
UC Research Ranking Climbs
January 10, 2002
The University of Cincinnati moved up in two different national rankings established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to compare college and university research efforts.
History Department Lecture
January 17, 2002
Lecture by Leslie Adelson, Cornell University, will deliver a Taft lecture titled "Back to the Future and Beyond 'Two Worlds':Turkish Lines of Thought in Contemporary German Literature and Memory Work" at 3:00pm in the Max Kade German Cultural Center in Old Chemistry.
New Appointments in McMicken Administration
January 21, 2002
The college is very pleased to announce two new appointments.
Sign Up for the Discovering A&S Elective
January 24, 2002
Parent's Asking, "What does someone do with THAT major?" Don't know all your options? Sign up for a 2 credit hour elective where you can meet A&S faculty, emeriti faculty, as well as, alumni.
Three of Four UC Fulbrights Scholars from McMicken
January 28, 2002
Tainted water supplies in Bangladesh, international security and missile defense, transformations in Mexico and greater understanding of India - this varied list sums up the work of four Fulbright Scholars at the University of Cincinnati who are concentrating on real-life issues involving our neighbors around the world.
Prominent Line-Up Examines Race in 2002 Ropes Series
January 31, 2002
The issue of race will receive one of the most intensive examinations undertaken in Cincinnati since the April riots when the University of Cincinnati Department of English launches its Ropes series in January and February 2002.
Nominate a Distinguished Alumni
January 31, 2002
The Purpose of the Distinguished Alumni Awards is to recognize graduates of the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievements.
UC Physicists Play Important Role in Experiments That Provided New Understanding of Neutrinos
January 31, 2002
Three physicists at the University of Cincinnati played a key role in recent experiments which provided a surprising new understanding of a tiny subatomic particle known as the neutrino.
Angelene Jamison-Hall: Publishing Award
February 13, 2002
An unpublished novel by Angelene Jamison-Hall won first place in the new writing contest sponsored by River View Publishing in Riverside, Iowa.