It is widely understood that the spreading of misinformation is a threat to democratic ideals. Misinformation threatens democracy in a number of ways:
It can erode trust in democratic institutions. When people are constantly bombarded with misinformation about the government, the media, and other important institutions, it can make them less likely to trust these institutions. This can make it more difficult for these institutions to function effectively, leading to declining public participation in democracy.
It can distort public debate. Misinformation about important issues makes it difficult for people to have informed discussions about these issues. This can lead to public policies that do not reflect the people's will.
Misinformation can undermine elections by manipulating public opinion. It can, for example, be employed to spread false allegations about candidates. This can sway voters or discourage voter participation altogether.
It can polarize society. Misinformation can divide people along political, social, and religious lines. This can make it more difficult for people to work together to solve common problems and can even lead to social unrest.
In honor of Protect Democracy Day, we call on you to create a visual piece of art, such as a graphic design, poster, painting, or comic, that includes a strategy about how to stop the spread of misinformation. Include a short reflection about how you will personally protect democracy with your finished piece of art.
To help you get started, take a look at the poster created by Unicef above. Also, consider the following strategies to stop the spread of misinformation, but feel free to explore your own ideas.
Be skeptical of information that seems too good to be true.
Check the source of the information. Is it a reputable news organization or website you've never heard of?
Look for evidence to support the claims being made.
Be sure to upload a photo of your visual art with this activity on InnerView and submit your visual art response and short reflection to [email protected] so the Impact Education team at Creative Visions can add your creativity to their project gallery!
