June 25: Anti-sunscreen myths

This is a shortened version of Get Smart About News, a free weekly newsletter that explores trends and issues in misinformation, social media, artificial intelligence and journalism. Subscribe HERE.

This is an edition of our special summer format. It’s lighter (and brighter!), but still packed with useful information. We’re excited to share summer reading recs, news literacy tips and debunked viral rumors.

Top reads

A roundup of the latest topics in news literacy, misinformation, AI and press freedom.

Artificial intelligence

• Quiz: “A.I. Is Getting Better Fast. Can You Tell What’s Real Now?” (Stuart A. Thompson, The New York Times).
• “Are Instagram and Facebook Really Using Your Posts to Train AI? What to Know.” (Cordilia James, The Wall Street Journal).

Misinformation

• “Some TikTok influencers are maligning sunscreen. Here’s what to know about the claims” (Maria Godoy, NPR).
• “ISIS Created Fake CNN and Al Jazeera Broadcasts” (David Gilbert, Wired).

Social media

• “Surgeon general’s proposed social media warning label for kids could hurt kids” (Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica).
• “Many California voters get their info from social media, even if they don’t trust it, poll shows” (Faith E. Pinho, Los Angeles Times).

Journalism

• Podcast: “Not even ‘no comment’: Paul Farhi on the media’s struggles with relevance” (Josh Hersh, Columbia Journalism Review).

Watch out for clickbait: Clickbait refers to stories that bait you with sensationalized language, including misleading or vague headlines using phrases like “You won’t believe what happens next!” Clickbait tactics can be a red flag calling a source’s credibility into question.

No, a MAGA (“Make America Great Again”) supporter did not accidentally burn their house down while trying to burn a pride flag. Check out more of the latest debunked rumors on NLP’s RumorGuard?!

One last thing...

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