This election cycle, we’ve seen a large amount of misinformation being spread across social media and elsewhere to influence our November vote. It is important for you, as a voter, to be able to identify and respond to misinformation and its variations.

First, we often speak of “misinformation” collectively, but there are three major types:

Misinformation: false information shared without intent to cause harm
Disinformation: false information shared with intent to cause harm
Malinformation: truthful information taken out of context with intent to cause harm

Here are some tips on identifying misinformation:

1. Demand Evidence: If a person makes a claim, ask them for evidence supporting their claim. If the person cannot produce evidence or refuses or neglects to produce evidence, this is a reason to question the truthfulness of what is asserted. Simply because someone says something, even with conviction or in accordance what you would be inclined to think is true, does not necessarily make it true.

2. Evaluate Bias: Ask yourself if the source of the information is biased. If a person makes a claim, have they demonstrated a past pattern of bias or subjectivity that would call into question the truthfulness or context-placement of the information? A past pattern of bias could include an unwillingness to criticize one viewpoint or person and a hyper-willingness to criticize another. Also consider the group affiliations of the person claiming the information. Finally, consider whether the person making the claim has a motive to promote or discredit one perspective over the other.

3. Evaluate Credibility: Consider if the person offering the information has been consistent in the past. A person who has provided inaccurate or incomplete information in the past calls into question whether the information they are providing now is accurate and true.

4. Beware of Anonymity: When a person says something anonymously or under a pseudonym, this calls into question the reliability of the information. Many studies have shown that a person is more inclined to be dishonest and careless when there are less likely to be social or professional consequences for inaccurate information due to the protections of anonymity.

5. Lookout for Character Attacks: A person might frame their claim as “information” but could in fact be making an attack on the character of someone else. Be on the lookout for generalizations dismissing or promoting others based on their character.

6. Ask the Subject of the Information Directly: If a claim is made that a person said something, believes something, or did something, ask the person who the claim is about whether the information is true or false. Typically, as a judge or jury might do in a court of law, hearing from both sides to a dispute is the best way to arrive at the truth.

When you are able to identify misinformation, consider these responses:

1. Correct the Misinformation: If you are comfortable with engaging with the person providing the misinformation, correct them factually or identify why others should call into question the truthfulness of what they are saying.

2. Disregard the Misinformation: If you are not comfortable with engaging with the person providing the misinformation, at a minimum disregard the misinformation and encourage others to do so.

3. Consider Reporting the Misinformation: If the misinformation is spread through a social media platform, consider reporting it to the group’s moderator or the social media company directly. Every social media company has a misinformation reporting mechanism you can and should use when you identify misinformation.

Much of the misinformation that has been spreading this election cycle has targeted candidates, like Nick, who have chosen to run independently and not under the Our Revolution Medford slate. It is no coincidence we have seen a significant increase in the spread of misinformation since the primary election, when voters clearly indicated their support for independent-thinking candidates over candidates who are not. Stay focused on the local issues this election is all about.

Please do your part to identify and respond to misinformation so we can keep our election honest, fair, and a genuine reflection of the public will.

The above was taken from his facebook site – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575246882228

Nick’s official website is here – https://nickgformedford.com/