Debunking Misinformation

Hi,

This week's email is about how to debunk misinformation more effectively.

Here are the key practical points you should know (mainly from this research article):

• Effective debunking of misinformation should generally open with the truthful facts, then warn the audience about the misinformation (potentially alongside any associated manipulation techniques), and finally reiterate the facts.

• As you do this, repeat the misinformation as little as possible. This is to avoid issues like the illusory truth effect, which increases people's belief in statements that they encounter repeatedly.

• Explain the truth in a way that’s simple, memorable, and supported by authoritative sources, while making sure it provides a credible alternative explanation to the situation.

• Try to address key issues that make people more susceptible to misinformation, like inattention (like when someone doesn’t take time to consider the reliability of news sources) and motivated reasoning (like when someone listens to information only to confirm their preexisting beliefs).

I hope you’ll find this helpful.

Have a great week,
Itamar