The Online Information War Over Fake Content Linked to Israel-Hamas Conflict
Ask students: What do you think is the most important real world impact of the disinformation related to the conflict? What do you think is the best way to combat it?
Teacher's note: This story contains some graphic images. Be sure to review all materials and check in with students as to how they are feeling. Let them know you, school counselors and administrators are there for them and are available to talk.
Summary
Israel's campaign in Gaza has been ongoing for nearly three months, but there is another front in this war and it’s taking place on screens worldwide. Fake or mislabeled content linked to the conflict has been viewed online millions of times. Amna Nawaz discussed the disinformation war with Shayan Sardarizadeh and Valerie Wirtschafter.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
Warm Up Questions
- Who are Shayan Sardarizadeh and Valerie Wirtschafter, and what are their backgrounds?
- What is different about online disinformation around this conflict according to Wirtschafter?
- How does Sardarizadeh seek to verify online content about the conflict (determine whether claims are true or false)?
- Where are some of the places this disinformation is coming from according to this story?
- Why does this disinformation have a "real world impact"?
Focus Questions
What do you think is the most important real world impact of the disinformation related to the conflict? What do you think is the best way to combat it?
Media literacy: Where do you think interested people should go to get the best possible information about this conflict or other important global news?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
For More:
What students can do: Watch this video below from on disinformation during wartime. The video is about the war in Ukraine. As a class, discuss how the lessons in this video can be applied to the conflict in Gaza.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
Defining Mis- and Disinformation: A New Toolkit for Educators
This free toolkit is based on extensive conversations with educators, parents and experts in mis- and disinformation.
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