U.S. State Department gives advice for identifying misinformation!

[dzika]

U.S. State Department gives advice for identifying misinformation!

1. Conspiracy theories are always wrong
   
2. Lies are circulated on the internet
   
3. Repeated allegations are false
   
4. Conspiracy theories are always wrong
   
5. The government doesn't lie, just ask us

---

Identifying Misinformation

How can a journalist or a news consumer tell if a story is true or false? There are no exact rules, but the following clues may help indicate if a story or allegation is true.

First, does the story claim that vast, powerful, evil forces are secretly manipulating events? If so, this fits the profile of a conspiracy theory, which is rarely true, even though such theories have great appeal and are often widely believed. In reality, events usually have much less exciting explanations.

Second, is the story startlingly good, bad, amazing, horrifying, or otherwise seemingly “too good” or “too terrible” to be true? If so, it may be an “urban legend.” Urban legends, which often circulate by word of mouth, e-mail, or the Internet, are false claims that are widely believed because they put a common fear, hope, suspicion, or other emotion into story form.

For example, after the September 11 attacks, a story arose that someone had survived the World Trade Center collapse by “surfing” a piece of concrete from the 80th floor to the ground. Nothing so extraordinary occurred, but many initially believed this, out of desperate hope that some people trapped in the towers miraculously survived their collapse.

Third, be aware of widely repeated allegations that are false, but which many continue to believe. The AIDS virus was not invented in a laboratory. Americans do not adopt children from other countries to use them in organ transplants. Likewise, there are many exaggerated fears about depleted uranium, probably because people mistakenly associate it with weapons-grade uranium or fuel-grade uranium, which are much more dangerous substances.

Fourth, consider the source. Conspiracy theorists often circulate false or skewed information. Ideological extremists frequently spread false stories.

Fifth, research the claim further and, if you wish, ask us. We can’t respond to all requests for information, but if a request is reasonable and we have the time, we will do our best to provide accurate, authoritative information.

http://usinfo.state.gov/media/media_resources/misinformation.html?id=nl20050309

[intheflow]

1. If you have any doubts, ask Big Brother.

We know what's best for you. :wtf:

[Wilms]

10. I had my doubts about THIS article.

So I emailed the State Dept. to alert them...

[e-mail] <[e-mail]>

Dear Folks,

I've been extremely concerned about the spread of misinformation.

Here is a link to an article that seems, obviously, to be a case of misinformation (or, at least, highly suspicious).

I wanted to bring it to your attention.

http://usinfo.state.gov/media/media_resources/misinformation.html?id=nl20050309

Patriotism requires vigilance.

Sincerely,

[aden_nak]

2. "vast, powerful, evil forces are secretly manipulating events?"

Are they talking about the NeoCons or al Queda?

[tanyev]

3. usdisinfo.state.gov

[DulceDecorum]

8. Fifth, research the claim further

November 17, 2001 Posted: 2:10 AM EST (0710 GMT)
CNN found several documents in the diplomatic quarter of Kabul, including one bound together by a note with the words "the biggest bombs" in Arabic script. The following pages indicated research into nuclear weapons material, including uranium-235, and one heading read "how to make a nuclear bomb."
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/central/11/16/ret.al.qaeda.documents/

An abandoned Taliban building in Kabul contained an alarming document that apparently described how to make an atomic bomb. But alarm turned to laughter when a webmaster who'd viewed news footage of the document recognized it as a 1979 parody.
"Since last week's column, 'Let's Make a Time Machine', was received so well in the new step-by-step format, this month's column will follow the same format," one section begins.
The article first appeared in the Journal of Irreproducible Results, which has been publishing scientific humor and trivia since the 1950s, and Taliban fighters would find this particular parody no more helpful than any of the magazine's other mock science.
http://alternet.org/story/11935

[Cocoa]

4. "consider the source"

gotta agree with that one

[EVDebs]

5. Brought to you by the CIA's Operation Mockingbird payola at taxpayer

expense ! "Consider the source"...the CIA wants us to check THEM OUT ? I just love it !

Operation Mockingbird
http://www.prisonplanet.com/analysis_louise_01_03_03_mockingbird.html

CNN and PsyOps
www.counterpunch.org/cnnpsyops.html

When Mae Brussell exposed the Operation Paperclip after reading the Warren Report, the world has never been quite the same. Oswald's military/mob connections are still matters of discussion. And Jim Garrison really was on to something, wasn't he ? Despite what the CIA would claim.

[DulceDecorum]

6. Depleted Uranium gets a mention

Likewise, there are many exaggerated fears about depleted uranium, probably because people mistakenly associate it with weapons-grade uranium or fuel-grade uranium, which are much more dangerous substances.

[Junkdrawer]

12. Yeah, ingested alpha emitters are actually good for you!

Oh, there's a little problem in that no one has found a dose small enough to not kill you over 5 years, but aside from that...

[Kurovski]

24. Yeah, the birth defects

and searing sperm experienced by returning troops from Iraq 1 was all in their heads. They just craved attention. Nervous little malingerers. RIIIIIGHT...

God, but these people who have stolen our government are sick and hateful.

[EVDebs]

7. I've nominated this for Greatest Page ! Priceless !

[Inland]

9. Poor State Dept. "We'll tell you the truth, not like DOD or WH....

please ask us a question! Pretty please! Hello? Anyone out there?"

[tom_paine]

11. The Leader Loves You. The Leader would NEVER Lie to You.

Just ask him!

[spunky]

13. lol. Sounds a bit like an extension of the right-wing reasoning chip.

Also, when did the US government start giving degrees in Journalism?

[Mugweed]

14. Here's a tip

Check last names. If the last name of the person supplying the information is Bush, Cheney, Rice...ad infinitum down to the dregs like Hannity and Coulter, then you are definitely being misinformed.

If they have this after their name: (R), then it is highly probable that you are being misinformed. (although lately I've lost faith in some (D)s also).

edited for typo

[hootinholler]

15. Maybe the 2002 State of the Union speech would be a good one

For them to review. I'm sure we all have good examples for them.

-Hoot

[gordianot]

16. I hope they keep this one up.

If for nothing else what is not denied. Totally incredible and ultimately stupid.

If there are any journalist or researchers left (have not committed suicide) in Bush Amerika this site should be a challenge.

[BrklynLiberal]

17. Also discussed here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3245956

[BrklynLiberal]

18. Straight out of George Orwell's 1984:

Oceania was at war with Eurasia now, but just four years ago, these two had formed an alliance against Eastasia. Winston remembered this clearly, but it made no difference what he or any other individual remembered, for the Party said that Eurasia had always been the Enemy and what the Party said was the Truth. This, thought Winston, was the most frightening aspect of the party regime-that it could obliterate memory, turn lies into Truth and alter the Past. The Party slogan was “Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past.” This was where “doublethink” came into play, minds were trained to hold contradictory positions simultaneously and unquestioningly- for example you had to believe at one and the same time that Democracy was impossible and that the Party was the guardian of democracy. Winston could remember a time when the Party did not rule, when Big Brother had not become all-powerful; but according to the Party they had always existed and this lie was repeated ad infinitum until it “became” the truth. This, Winston thought was a far more terrible weapon in the hands of the Party than torture or execution.

[JohnyCanuck]

19. Stories too good to be true, hmmmm.

Second, is the story startlingly good, bad, amazing, horrifying, or otherwise seemingly “too good” or “too terrible” to be true? If so, it may be an “urban legend.” Urban legends, which often circulate by word of mouth, e-mail, or the Internet, are false claims that are widely believed because they put a common fear, hope, suspicion, or other emotion into story form.

For example, after the September 11 attacks, a story arose that someone had survived the World Trade Center collapse by “surfing” a piece of concrete from the 80th floor to the ground. Nothing so extraordinary occurred, but many initially believed this, out of desperate hope that some people trapped in the towers miraculously survived their collapse.

What about the story that a passport belonging to one of the hijackers had been found within minutes of the crash, intact and laying in a NYC street after surviving the explosive fireball of the crash. Furthermore it was fortuitously found prior to the subsequent collapse of the WTC towers according to one published account. Unfortunately while a paper passport allegedly survived the firey catastrophe, the nearly indestructible aircraft black boxes, according to the official accounts, did not. Almost sounds as if finding that passport meets the "too good to be true qualification" if you ask me.

CBS News reported, meanwhile, that a passport belonging to one of the hijackers, Satam al-Sugami, was found on the street minutes after the plane he was aboard crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center and before the New York landmark collapsed.

http://www.11alive.com/news/usnews_article.aspx?storyid=42069

[DebJ]

20. Hahaha! Read in this order: #1, #4, #3, or...

Conspiracy theories are always false
Conspiracy theories are always false
Repeated allegations are false


Ha Ha
So the repeated allegation that conspiracy theories are false is false as they repeated it themselves.

[emlev]

22. lol

[applegrove]

21. Do neocons qualify?

"Conspiracy theorists often circulate false or skewed information. Ideological extremists frequently spread false stories."

[mikelewis]

23. They just wrote this.... This is a message from Condi

meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
<meta name="ARTICLE_DATE" content="03/09/2005
">
<meta name="ARTICLE_DATE_IN_LANGUAGE" content="09/03/2005">

This is the source code of this page.


Funny this should pop up after she gets in. Why is this an issue for the State Department? And since when is the State Department tasked with the resposibility of informing the MSM on what a conspiracy theory is? I think they figured that one out with Watergate.

All in all, I think this means we're getting to them. MWAAAAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[area51]

25. "3. Repeated allegations are false."

You mean like Faux Snooz? :evilgrin:

---

"Prosperity is just around the corner." -- Herbert Hoover
"The economy has turned a corner." -- GW Bush

Herbert Hoover = GW Bush

Neither man cared about the Depression their economic policies created.

[Pacifist Patriot]

26. That one jumped out at me as well. Considering a primary Repub tactic...

is "if you say it enough times it becomes the truth" and they've been utilizing the hell out of it, the hypocrisy is outrageous.

Saddam - Al Q
Saddam - Al Q
Saddam - Al Q

9/11 - Iraq
9/11 - Iraq
9/11 - Iraq

Majority of U.S. public supports invading a country based on false premises.

Agggghhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!