Abstract

Frenzy journalism involves a determined endeavour to take active part in the subsequent future and development of an event: a journal introduces a topic for several days. This media frenzy undermines objectivity and professionalism in favour of the ideological and financial interests of the economic enterprise. The author here studies the role of the Spanish journal El País during eight days in May 2007 when a Venezuelan TV station did not obtain the broadcast license renewal.

Abstract

The discipline Structural Considerations of Information explores the interests underlying communicational dynamics and information strategies, as well as the ways in which they correlate with messages. Considering this knowledge to be key in Communication Education, and having confirmed its close relationship with the dimensions of media competence, its presence is analyzed in the Media and Information Literacy (MIL) curriculum for teachers, whose training is crucial for the success of the process, developed by UNESCO, an organization that is a global referent in the field. A semantic content analysis reveals, from a quantitative perspective, a strong presence of thematic areas covered by the Structural Considerations of Information subject within the competencies and contents of the curriculum. However, at a qualitative level, there are fundamental weaknesses in its relationship with the structural approach to information. This occurs when the critical spirit of the text declines, starting with a definition of the media as sources of reliable information. The ubiquity of disinformation, and the key role played by stakeholders’ knowledge, as well as the development of critical thinking to address it requires an update of this curriculum–the present review contributes to this development– highlighting the current necessity to address it from a structural vantage that fosters critical citizenship and a democratic process.

Abstract

The phenomenon of fake news is generating multiple approaches to solve the legal, technological and information and communication issues. One of the approaches would be the use of collaborative knowledge. Some examples and possible challenges of the use of collective intelligence for fighting the online disinformation are described.

Abstract

The new information flows and the collapse of the journalistic monopoly in the intermediation with the public, have created opportunities and dysfunctions in biomedical information. To the problems of hype and commercialization, those related to the lack of filters and the diffusion of bad science have been added. This article discusses the challenges posed by these problems and the perspectives in academic research, communication and journalism. 

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an exponential growth in developments aimed at the creation of textual, graphic, audio, and audiovisual content using artificial intelligence. These extraordinary technological achievements offer huge potential opportunities but, at the same time, are vulnerable to certain questionable uses that constitute real threats. This paper examines recent initiatives targeting the simulation of human writing, the creation of deepfake videos, voice cloning, and the generation of images from text prompts. Then, the potential benefits of these developments as well as the main dangers resulting from their misuse are discussed

Abstract

We are living in a reality in which the practices of access and use of digital information are saturated with disinformation, fake news, and hate speech that are met with no serious repercussions at either the political or the social level. Critical information literacy, as a movement of information activism with theoretical and practical components, is shown to be an opportunity to contribute to the construction of an informed and ethical society. We present an overview of critical information literacy from its origins, focusing on the educational field and professional practice.

Abstract

Two strategies are proposed for dealing with disinformation by using content curation, which we term “curating the truth” and “curating the lie.” The former is the traditional concept of content curation, which seeks to optimize existing content of value. The latter is a curation process linked to supporting the debunking of hoaxes, rumors, and falsehoods. These two strategies are exemplified through four cases of curation posts on Twitter. Various implications are discussed, such as the identification of and access to the sources of hoaxes or the cost of each strategy.

Abstract

Media social responsibility is rarely more evident than in the news coverage of a crisis, disaster or emergency. This research analyses the use of and trust in information sources through a nationwide survey of 30 editors-in-chief of Spain’s most relevant newspapers, radio, television and online media outlets (N=30). With a very high response rate (76.66%), the findings confirm that the use of unofficial sources (victims and those affected) are prioritized over official government sources. It is significant that the inferential analysis reveals that the editors give the same credibility as a source of information to the government as it does to the victims in the current context of misinformation, fake news and hoaxes. It is concluded that newsmaking should be built on the balanced use of official and unofficial sources. The results also confirm that the entire newsroom participates in this coverage and no journalistic specialization is detected amongst reporters.