The document discusses issues around misinformation and the need for trustworthy information. It outlines four key issues - the problems of misinformation, the need for relevant and trustworthy information, language barriers, and the need for solutions. Some potential solutions discussed include education initiatives, fact-checking, and empowering users to identify credible information. The creation of multilingual resources that provide information in clear language is important to effectively address misinformation issues.

1. The importance of
creating relevant material
to develop information
literacy and to combat
disinformation
Information School,
University of Sheffield
ASIS&T SA Chapter, April 2022
Sheila Webber

2. Outline
1. Issue: Misinformation
2. Issue: Need for relevant, trustworthy information
3. Issue: Language
4. Looking for solutions
Sheila Webber (2022)

3. Issue: Dis/Misinformation
“Disinformation: Information that is
false and deliberately created to
harm a person, social group,
organisation or country
“Misinformation: Information that is
false but not created with the
intention of causing harm”
(UNESCO, 2018) Generated using
https://www.fodey.com/generators/newspaper/snippet.asp
Sheila Webber (2022)

4. Egelhofer & Lecheler (2019, p.103)
Sheila Webber (2022)

5. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
(2021, p.22)
Sheila Webber (2022)

6. Issue: Need for relevant,
trustworthy information
“In order to effectively contain the spread of the virus, provide medical care for those who need it, and
avoid harmful misdirection of resources, trust is essential. But for the public to have that trust, the
affected communities need to be contacted in time and have to have access to all relevant and
available information to understand the nature of the health crisis.” (Amnesty International, 2020, p.4)
“A lack of accurate and trustworthy information in emergencies can lead to rumours and
misinformation, resulting in panic and chaos, practices that put people at even more risk, and/or
stigma towards people affected by illness, all of which can contribute to more people becoming
affected or dying as disease spreads” (BBC Media Action, 2018)
Photo
Nigel
Ford:
Created
using
http://simitator.com
/
Sheila Webber (2022)

7. Issue: Language
“Language of communication is as important as the
message itself.” Abugu (2020, p130)
“MIL [Media and Information Literacy] also helps people to understand the necessity for
viable content production and supply, especially journalism in local languages where
factors like small size or poverty of audiences mitigate against advertiser interest or
subscription payments for such information.”
Grizzle et al. (2021, p.274)
“An inclusive media system provides a diverse range of content, in diverse forms and
languages, thereby enabling public choice and awareness of demographic inclusiveness.”
Grizzle et al. (2021, p.380)
Sheila Webber (2022)

8. Issue: Language
Research identifying linguistic issues & information literacy
“... some studies have explored how the ability to find or locate information is impacted by
language proficiency: some studies report that users often have trouble in formulating terms in a
language they are not fully proficient in on OPACS and electronic databases...”
(Nzomi et al., 2021, p899)
Concerns about Artificial Intelligence
“Most virtual assistants are given a particular gender, and the programmed answers they provide
reflect certain world views and baises. The language translation possibilities reflect dominant
rather than endangered, languages, while robots are geared for private rather than public use.”
Grizzle et al. (2021, p.294)
Sheila Webber (2022)

9. Issue: language
“There are several reasons Spanish misinformation continues to spread on Facebook more widely
than English misinformation, researchers say. The company, they say, does not dedicate enough
resources to Spanish-language moderation, which includes a failure to hire enough Spanish-
speaking workers. Non-human content moderation tools like artificial intelligence may not pick up
on the nuance in Spanish. Facebook appears to be dedicating fewer resources to moderating
Spanish content on its platforms than it does for misinformation in English, said Jessica J
González ...” (Paul, 2021)
Currently this is an issue with disinformation about Ukraine “While Russia also creates
propaganda in languages including English, Arabic, French and German, it’s found particular
success with Spanish-speaking users, according to recent research ..” (Mulato, 2022)
Volks
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Commons
Sheila Webber (2022)

10. Importance of clear, comprehensible health information
“Good communication is a vital component in delivering high-quality healthcare
and in enabling equitable and inclusive access to services and health
information”
(Public Health Scotland, 2020)
“When considering how to communicate patient information, all stakeholders
should understand the needs of patients and ensure that material is appropriate
for their individual conditions, language, age, understanding, ability and culture ..”
(International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations, 2009)
Sheila Webber (2022)

11. Importance of clear, comprehensible health information
10 criteria for trustworthy health information - PIF TICK (UK quality mark for health information)
● Information is created using a consistent and documented process.
● Staff are trained and supported to produce high-quality information.
● Information meets an identified consumer need.
● Information is based on reliable, up-to-date evidence.
● Patients are involved in the development of health information.
● Information is written in plain English.
● Print and digital information is easy to use and navigate.
● Users can give feedback on information.
● Information is promoted to make sure it reaches those who need it.
● The impact of information is measured
(Patient Information Forum)
Sheila Webber (2022)

12. Solutions?
Educational (includes MIL)
Posetti & Bontcheva (2020, p.249)
Normative and
ethical responses -
e.g. official
statements
Monitoring and
fact-checking &
Investigative
Empowerment &
credibility labelling
Sheila Webber (2022)

13. Some UNESCO MIL initiatives
UNESCO (2018). In 24 languages
Grizzle et al, 2021
Also aim to encourage sharing
of Open Educational
Resources in many languages
via http://unesco.mil-for-
teachers.unaoc.org/resources/
Includes Cultural &
linguistic diversity
“How citizens define
their cultural & linguistic
identities, and are able
to express themselves
in the means and
language they choose
while being subject to
respect for human rights
and fundamental
freedoms, and
meaningfully interact
with other cultural
groups in a process of
free and open
communication”
See also e.g. Andrulis &
Brach (2007) in the
lealthcare context
Sheila Webber (2022)

14. Portal Check: Resources against disinformation for Latin America
and the Caribbean - https://portalcheck.org/
Sheila Webber (2022)

15. Solutions: The resources
being launched today!

16. Sheila Webber
Information School
University of Sheffield
s.webber@shef.ac.uk
Twitter: @sheilayoshikawa
http://information-literacy.blogspot.com/
http://www.slideshare.net/sheilawebber/
Slides at https://tinyurl.com/asistsa0422

17. References
 Abugu, J.C. (2020). Media and Information Literacy approach to combating disinformation: the need for an effective multimedia actors’ collaboration. In Resisting disinfodemic: Media and
Information Literacy for everyone by everyone. (pp.121-133). UNESCO Abuja Regional Office.
 Amnesty International. (2020). Responses to covid-19 and states’ human rights obligations: preliminary observations. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/pol30/1967/2020/en/
 Andrulis, D. P., & Brach, C. (2007). Integrating literacy, culture, and language to improve health care quality for diverse populations. American Journal of Health Behavior, 31 (Suppl 1), S122–
S133. https://doi.org/10.5555/ajhb.2007.31.supp.S122
 BBC Media Action. (2018). A guide for the media on communicating in public health emergencies. http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/mediaaction/pdf/communicating-in-public-health-emergencies-
english.pdf
 Egelhofer, J. & Lecheler, S. (2019). Fake news as a two-dimensional phenomenon: a framework and research agenda. Annals of the International Communication Association, 43(2), 97-116.
DOI: 10.1080/23808985.2019.1602782
 Grizzle, A. et al. (2021). Media and information literate citizens: think critically, click wisely! UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000377068 [MIL curriculum, 2nd ed.]
 International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations. (2009). IAPO policy statement on patient information.
https://www.iapo.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/IAPO%20Policy%20Statement%20on%20Patient%20Information.pdf
 Mulato, A. (2022, April 2). Russia aims Ukraine disinformation at Spanish speakers. The Independent. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/russia-aims-ukraine-disinformation-at-spanish-
speakers/ar-AAVMfzx
 Nzomo, P., McKenzie, P., Ajiferuke, I. & Vaughan, L. (2021). Towards a definition of Multilingual Information Literacy (MLIL): An essential skill for the 21st Century. Journal of Library
Administration, 61(7), 897-920.
 Patient Information Forum. (n.d.). About the PIF TICK. https://pifonline.org.uk/pif-tick/about/
 Paul, K. (2021, March 3). 'Facebook has a blind spot': why Spanish-language misinformation is flourishing. Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/mar/03/facebook-spanish-
language-misinformation-covid-19-election
 Posetti, J. & Bontcheva, K. (2020). Balancing act: Countering digital disinformation while respecting freedom of expression. International Telecommunication Union & UNESCO.
https://en.unesco.org/publications/balanceact
 Public Health Scotland. (2020). NHS Scotland interpreting, communication support and translation national policy. https://publichealthscotland.scot/media/3059/interpreting-communication-
support-and-translation-national-policy.pdf
 Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. (2021). Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2021. https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2021-
06/Digital_News_Report_2021_FINAL.pdf
 UNESCO. (2018). Journalism, ‘fake news' and disinformation: A handbook for journalism education and training. https://en.unesco.org/node/295873
Sheila Webber (2022)