Office of Information Practices

The State Office of Information Practices (OIP) has long been concerned about the rise of misinformation and disinformation campaigns and has urged government agencies and the public to do their part to combat misinformation.  The danger today, however, is far greater with the proliferation of misinformation and deliberate disinformation campaigns by foreign governments, special interest groups, and even mainstream news media on television and radio, in newspapers, and online, which is further amplified by millions of individuals on social media and now compounded by artificial intelligence technology that can create convincingly deceptive photos, videos, and robocalls.  With so much misinformation around us, what can you do to recognize it and not unknowingly spread misinformation?  How can we get sunshine in news?

The Honolulu Star Advertiser recently published excellent articles about disinformation and the need for news literacy to reclaim our power to determine the truth, which have been reposted with its permission on a “NEWS:  Fact or Fiction?” page of OIP’s website at oip.hawaii.gov.  There, you will also find a link to the NewsLit.org website of the News Literacy Project (NLP), a nonpartisan organization providing free education and resources to help people determine the credibility of news and other information, including the “RumorGuard” that analyzes the authenticity of photos, videos, and news reports, and other lessons, webinars, podcasts, and infographics teaching skills to identify fact from fiction.  One clear infographic teaches people the following Seven Standards of Quality Journalism, so they can learn what news reports to trust, share, and act on:

1) Multiple Credible Sources, who are in a position to know relevant facts and details;

2) Verification to check and confirm all facts and details;

3) Avoidance of Bias by presenting facts and necessary context in a dispassionate manner;

4) Balance by representing multiple sides of an issue without giving undue weight or legitimacy to one view point;

5) Documentation of reports, studies, data, videos, photos, and audio recordings;

6) Context that presents the facts in a way that makes their meaning clear, fair, and accurate; and

7) Fairness by treating sources and subjects with appropriate respect, and giving subjects a chance to share their points of view or respond.

Other infographics discuss misinformation, news media bias and bias in general, how to vet a news source, and how to speak up without starting a showdown.

Sunshine in news is just as important as sunshine in government.  Please make the effort to get educated and become a reliable source of information by learning how to separate fact from fiction.