Many online news and information platforms allow us to vote on the content, noting what we click on, what we like, and what we ignore. As we provide this information, self-segmentation can occur over time. We may only be shown those news and entertainment stories that are most likely to capture our attention, leaving other stories off our page to be ignored and forgotten because we never had the chance to consider them.

Fake news is also part of this attention-getting landscape of news and entertainment and, all too often, it is passed off as legitimate when it is not.

In this Discussion, you will consider the problems associated with self-segmentation, as well as the identification and impact of fake news.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Read the Communication Program Discussion Guidelines.
• Read “Opinion: YouTube, The Great Radicalizer” in this week’s Learning Resources.
• Read “Real News/Fake News: About Fake News” in this week’s Learning Resources.
• Watch the “Why Do Our Brains Love Fake News?” video from PBS.
• Watch the “Ed Pariser: Beware the Online “Filter Bubbles” video.

By Day 4

Post a response that addresses the following questions:

• Explain how you, or someone you know, has inadvertently self-segmented. What are the problems with doing this?
• How can self-segmentation lead to the increase in fake news
• Why is it hard to identify fake news?

Refer to the Week 3 Discussion Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this Grading Rubric to assess your work. 

Read some of your colleagues’ postings.

By Day 7

Respond to at least one of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight that you gained from having read your colleague’s posting.
• Offer and support a new opinion.
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.

Note: Support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources and any additional sources you identify, using both in-text citations and references. It is strongly recommended that you include proper APA format and citations.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria