Fake News Awareness Day, March 29, 2018

When the news is fake, make no mistake!
Fake News Awareness Forum  
The Pablo Creek Regional Library
13295 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL, 32246
7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 29th

Experts on journalism will discuss their concerns in regard to fake news. This will be an opportunity for people to learn how to recognize fake news so that they can avoid being fooled by it.

Why is fake news awareness important?

Fake news has been spreading at an alarming rate. There is now more fake news being written, produced, and distributed than ever before. Indeed, consumers now have access to more fake news than real news. Millions upon millions of people are fooled by fake news every day. People consume fake news as if it was real news. To make matters worse, they also share fake news with their friends and associates.

People generally make decisions based upon information they believe to be true. People who are well-informed generally make better decisions than people who are misinformed. By learning about fake news, people will be better equipped to spot fake news and avoid being fooled by it. Fake News Awareness Day is an opportunity to join in the fight against fake news.


Speakers at the Fake News Awareness Forum
Claire Goforth is the editor of Folio Weekly, Northeast Florida's largest independent source of news and entertainment.
Glenda S. Jenkins began her career in journalism and communications in 2002 when she joined "Nassau Neighbors," as a correspondent and columnist. She went on to work for many years at the Fernandina Beach News-Leader, where she covered city and county governments, education, culture and local history. Jenkins earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Florida. In 2011, she started her own publicity and promotions company, PlumCake Enterprises Inc., and continues to work in news and business communications via print and social media platforms.
Kevin Meerschaert is the producer of First Coast Connect on WJCT, Jacksonville’s public radio station. Kevin was a reporter for WJCT News from 2001 until 2014. He previously worked at public radio stations in Salisbury, Maryland; Evansville, Indiana; andYpsilanti, Michigan. He won several awards for reporting and was the recipient of the 2007-2008 Media Community Leadership award from Mental Health America of Northeast Florida. Kevin earned his degree in political science from Eastern Michigan University.
Danny Murphy will be the moderator of the Fake News Forum. He has been a freelance writer for decades. He has had hundreds of articles published in newspapers and magazines. Danny has been blogging about fake news since the end of 2016, and he compiled many of his blog posts into his book, Fake News 101.

What should I do on Fake News Awareness Day?

Consumers of news can educate themselves by reading real articles about fake news. The websites of organizations already engaged in the fight against fake news have a great deal of information on a variety of topics. Check out SnopesPolitifactThat’s Nonsense, and FactCheck. Note: FactCheck and Politifact accept donations.

If a good newspaper is available in your community, get a subscription. The newspaper business has suffered tremendous losses in the past decade in terms of subscribers and ad revenues. As a result, staff positions have been cut time after time. By simply subscribing to a good newspaper, consumers can support good journalism.

Organize or participate in an event where experts on fake news can present timely and helpful information about fake news. 

The best way to fight fake news is to become informed about it and to recognize it. 


#fakenewsawarenessday #fakenewsawareness



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