NEWSpiracy Tutor Handbook EN

https://newspiracy.eu The project "NEWSpiracy" is co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. The content of NEWSpiracy is the sole responsibility of the project partners and neither the European Commission nor the Spanish Service for the Internationalisation of Education (SEPIE) is responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. Project Number: 2022-1-ES01-KA220-HED-000089608 Fact-checking resources In recent years conspiracy theories have become an increasingly prominent part of fake-news discourse. The essence of these theories is the claim that powerful forces have the power and secretly are working behind the scenes to manipulate society. While from the first impression, many of these theories seem to be useless and absurd, they can have significant impacts on public opinion and behavior. In recent years conspiracy theories about election fraud have fuelled distrust in the democratic process and led to dangerous attempts to overturn the results of democratic elections (Li & Su 2020). Conspiracy theories can be used as a tool for propaganda and disinformation. Authoritarian governments and other powerful actors often use conspiracy theories to deflect blame and sow confusion among the population. By casting doubt on legitimate sources of information and promoting false narratives, actors can gain greater control over the population and suppress those with different opinions. Understanding conspiracy theories can help to develop more effective strategies for countering disinformation and promoting factual information. Moreover, understanding conspiracy theories can help us to recognize and address legitimate concerns and grievances. Many conspiracy theories emerge in response to real-world problems and injustices. By understanding the underlying concerns driving these theories, we can work to address the underlying issues and promote greater trust and social cohesion. Table 1: Major Conspiracy Theories The “Deep State” theory The “False Flag” theory The “Chemtrails” theory The “QAnon” theory The “Flat Earth” theory Suggests that there is a shadowy group of government officials and other powerful individuals who are secretly working to undermine the current administration and its policies. Suggests that certain events, such as terrorist attacks or mass shootings, are staged or orchestrated by government officials or other organizations to further their own agendas. Suggests that the white trails left by airplanes in the sky are chemical sprays used for weather modification or population control. Suggests that there is a high- level government inside, known only as “Q”, who is working to expose a global conspiracy involving satanic rituals, pedophilia, and other nefarious activities. Suggests that the Earth is flat, rather than round, and that the scientific evidence supporting a round Earth is a part of a larger conspiracy to deceive the public. One of the most evident examples on that how conspiracy theories produced fake news is the case that happened in the USA called Pizzagate, when Edgar Maddison Welch after reading that US presidential election candidate H.Clinton sexually exploits children in satanic rituals, went to a pizzeria in Washington and fired a gun. Before that happened, a fake story arose through social media with the hashtag “PizzaGate” ( Aisch et al, 2016 ). Understanding conspiracy theories can help us to develop critical thinking skills towards social media and news content and resist manipulation. Conspiracy theories often rely on emotional