True or false?

The teacher reads two pieces of news to the class, one reporting real events and the other invented, and asks the class to indicate which piece of news is true and which is fake. When the class has answered correctly, the teacher introduces the definition of fake news from the glossary: 

Fake news: partially or totally false and misleading information disseminated intentionally or unintentionally through the web or media, without verifying the source. 

There are many ways to share false or unverified news, but certainly the internet and social media A freely accessible online platform that allows people to create, share and exchange ideas and text, image, audio and video content quickly on message boards read by people who follow the updates have given a strong boost to disinformation, also facilitating the emergence of new techniques to create fake news. For example, deepfake is one of the latest techniques and allows the creation of fake content from videos, audio or images on the web, which can be used to commit acts of cyberbullying. 

The teacher can show to the class this video that shows how fake news can spread: 

The class is divided into groups. Each group has to search for 3 real news in national or local newspapers (topic is up to the group, it could be about current affairs, sport, entertainment, etc.). Online newspapers can be used as well.

For each news, the group has to identify the headline, the main facts, people involved and one or more pictures/images.  

Once each group has found the three news, they have to pick one that will be left exactly as it is, while the other 2 news will be altered using the BreakYourOwnNews website (link). This tool will allow each group to change one or more facts about the news, as to make it 'fake'. For example, headlines can be rewritten, dates or places can be changed etc. The goal is to make the 2 news turn into fake ones, but still trying to make them still a little bit credible. 

At this point, each group will have their own set of news, 1 true and 2 fake. Each group proceeds to present their news to the class (using the interactive whiteboard or a computer). The news will be shown with their headline, short description and an image.

The class, in groups, have to guess which of the 3 news presented is the real one. Whoever guesses correctly wins a point. At the end of the presentations, the group that has the majority of correct answers, wins the challenge.

Once the game is over, the groups can explain what parts of the news have been changed.

How to know whether a piece of news is true or false? The class can discuss with the teacher the importance of verifying the source and comparing it with other similar news stories. 

To stimulate reflection, the teacher can consult this website.