SOCIAL MEDIA CULTURE AND DISINFORMATION
Instructional goals
This course explores the intersection of social media, journalism and data in the digital age. The course provides critical and analytical skills in navigating, analyzing and using social media for news reporting, understanding the role of data in everyday life including in combating misinformation. The course emphasizes practical skills, ethical considerations in the changing landscape of digital media. Understanding the impact of social media on journalism and society involves developing skills in acquiring, verifying and reporting news through social media.
Intended learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: critical and analytical skills in navigating, analyzing, and using social media for news writing, understanding the role of data in daily life also to combat misinformation.
Course Contents
Introduction to Social Media from Cicero to Chiara Ferragni.
Acquisition and Verification of Information in Social Media.
Social media, war and peace in the 21st century.
Advanced Techniques of Communication with Data.
Combating Disinformation.
Digital Platforms Ethical Considerations.
Reference Books
Materials provided by the teacher
Teaching Methods
Lectures, Analysis of information from social media, Scientific articles
Assessment Method
Written exam
Thesis assignment criteria
Identification of a theme and proposal to the teacher
Week 1
Introduction to Social Media from Cicero to Chiara Ferragni
Evolution of social media.
Impact on the news cycle and public opinion.
Case studies on social media in breaking news.
Week 2
Introduction to Social Media from Cicero to Chiara Ferragni (cont’d)
Evolution of social media.
Impact on the news cycle and public opinion.
Case studies on social media in breaking news.
Week 3
Acquisition and Verification of Information in Social Media
Tools and techniques for verifying information.
Understanding algorithms, echo chambers and filter bubbles, fact checking.
Ethical considerations in the use of social media for journalism
Week 4
Acquisition and Verification of Information in Social Media (cont’d)
Tools and techniques for verifying information.
Understanding algorithms, echo chambers and filter bubbles, fact checking.
Ethical considerations in the use of social media for journalism
Week 5
Fundamentals of data journalism from the war in Ukraine to Gaza
Data acquisition, scraping and data analysis.
Visual storytelling with data.
Week 6
Fundamentals of data journalism from the war in Ukraine to Gaza (cont’d)
Data acquisition, scraping and data analysis.
Visual storytelling with data.
Week 7
Advanced Data Communication Techniques
Interactive data visualization.
Investigative reporting using data.
Case studies of impact data journalism.
Week 8
Advanced Data Communication Techniques (cont’d)
Interactive data visualization.
Investigative reporting using data.
Case studies of impact data journalism.
Week 9
Combating Disinformation
Identification and refutation of fake news.
Role of fact-checkers and verification tools.
Strategies for responsible editing.
Week 10
Combating Disinformation (cont’d)
Identification and refutation of fake news.
Role of fact-checkers and verification tools.
Strategies for responsible editing.editing.
Week 11
Digital Platforms Ethical Considerations
Overview of current digital platforms.
The role of artificial intelligence and automation in journalism.
Future trends in digital journalism. Ethical dilemmas in digital and social media journalism.
Week 12
Digital Platforms Ethical Considerations (cont’d)
Overview of current digital platforms.
The role of artificial intelligence and automation in journalism.
Future trends in digital journalism. Ethical dilemmas in digital and social media journalism.