Description

For Discussion #3, students will watch Andrew Rossi’s 2020 documentary AFTER TRUTH: DISINFORMATION AND THE COST OF FAKE NEWS. The film runs for 95 minutes and has hardcoded English subtitles. The documentary is also on HBO MAX.

After viewing the video, students must answer the following THREE questions:

Question 1: Choose an event covered in the documentary – The Jade Helm 15 military exercise, the Pizzagate conspiracy, or the murder of Seth Rich – and provide a brief summary on how disinformation tactics by political strategists, community-based forums (Reddit, 4chan), and social media users distorted the truth behind them.

Question 2: What is journalist Kara Swisher’s perspective on Facebook, and the role of Silicon Valley tech companies in amplifying unverified information and falsehoods via their platforms?

Question 3: What does de-platforming mean? Is de-platforming an effective means to stop of flow of misinformation and disinformation – please explain why or why not. What did you learn about the cost of fake news on the livelihoods of people featured in the documentary?