Fake news: be vigilant of what you share

Hoax attempts against Miami Herald augur broader information wars | McClatchy Washington Bureau

Two incidents hit The Miami Herald in recent days that underscore new tactics by those seeking to discredit mainstream media, and they augur what experts said are dark days in the battle between credible news and misinformation.

… In the first incident, a perpetrator used a software tool to create two fake tweets that looked like they came from the account of Alex Harris, a Herald reporter preparing tributes to the slain students.

… In a second incident, someone again used a software tool to create a phony Miami Herald story — in the high tension following the Parkland shooting — saying that a Miami-Dade middle school faced threats of “potentially catastrophic events” on upcoming dates, indicating that a new mass shooting was in the offing.

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We live in confusing times. Many claims and counter claims are circulated all the time through social media. Christians, don’t let yourself be duped by false claims. Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

With a Christian worldview, we can see that the media itself often pushes “embellished” news. Don’t become part of the problem by allowing wicked troublemakers use your discernment (and fears) to escalate the hysteria and turmoil that fills our world. [dcsj]

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