With election day almost here, we usually expect a culmination of campaign efforts in an election that determines if an incumbent remains in office or a new leader takes office. 2020 has proven to be exceptionally contentious. And with COVID-19, election procedures for many parts of the country have been changed to try to protect voters from this aggressive virus.
The contentiousness along with the pandemic provides an opportunity for misinformation to spread causing fear, anxiety and anger. And given the speed of how information can spread in our internet age, the damage that misinformation can make to our lives is especially important.
Academics who study misinformation expect the following trends during and after election day,
·
Expect a longer time to have results
to races. Many states are relying on more mail in ballots than they have in the
past (except of course Washington State). More people may turn out to vote in
states that have polling places, causing long lines.
·
Reported ballot counts may show a
“blue shift” (Republicans in the lead then Democrats in the lead as counting
shifts from polling places to mail in ballots) Some people think that some
states may experience a “red shift.” This can give rise to rumors that try to
delegitimize the electoral process.
·
On voting day, pictures or videos
may show long lines at the polls and rumors of COVID-19 breakouts or protests that
may tend to deter voting.
·
The voting process will be watched
very closely. Stories of procedural problems may try to be used as examples of
widespread fraud or irregularities.
The potential misinformation during the period after
November 3rd could only heighten the concern and anxiety that we
have been experiencing for the better part of 2020.
Apply the SIFT method to news articles and stories that you find on social media.
1. Stop-
When you read something that gives you a strong emotion, shock, surprise, or a
strong urge to share, STOP, then go to the next steps.
2. Investigate
the Source- Is this a reputable source? Who is telling me this? Is it a
friend of a friend or is it a reputable news organization? How do they know it?
Heard it from a friend? What are they trying to sell you? What is their motive
to pass this information to you? Open a
second tab in your browser and do a Google or Wikipedia search on the source. If
you cannot find an entry, then you probably should question the credibility of
the publication.
3. Find
Better Coverage- If the “reporting source” doesn’t inspire confidence, but
the story is still compelling, see if anyone else is covering the subject. A
Google (or Bing) search should help you. You can also select the headline then
right-click, long press, or cmd-click. A list of links on the subject should
pop up. If no one else is covering the subject or claim, you might become more
suspicious about it.
4. Trace
Claims, Quotes and Media to the Original Context- First, check the date. Is
this old information circulating now? Next click through to the original source
of the claim from the reporting source. Do a quick search in the article of key
terms in the claim. If you find the terms, the claim may have validity. If you
don’t, you might continue to be suspicious.
You can also check out a story with a major fact checking news site. Three major reputable fact checking sites are,
·
Snopes- https://www.snopes.com/
·
Politifact- https://www.politifact.com/
·
FactCheck.org- https://www.factcheck.org/
As with many predictions, the predicted trends may not come
to fruition. But this is a time to be cautious in passing on any information
that we read or see. Remember:
·
Think more, share less
·
Slow down
·
Pick trusted sources
University of Washington Center for an Informed Public:
Politifact:
https://www.politifact.com/article/2020/oct/06/7-ways-avoid-misinformation-about-election/
The Seattle Times:
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