Fake News in Social Media – Classification and Case Studies as an Important Guide for Media Education

Abstract

The essence of this publication is an attempt to characterize the term of fake news in the social media environment. Social media platforms are commercial entities that are difficult to control and focused on user-generated content. Therefore, they constitute an effective space for spreading dis-information, both intentional and unintentional. The definitions of fake news, their types and examples were analyzed, and a case study was conducted in relation to two important events – both geo-politically and media-wise – the war in Ukraine and the presidential elections in the USA. The last chapter is a proposal of activities that will help you differentiate truth from false information and develop your own media competencies.