Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Digital Resilience: OSINT, Fact Checking and Information Verification
Course Code
SZF_279
Branch of Science
Political science
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Communication Science; Juridical Science; Management Science; Medicine; Political Science; Public Health
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Katrīna De Rika
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
SZF, Kuldigas Street 9C, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To provide students with an understanding of the state of play of the dissemination of false information and its manifestations in the contemporary information space, to promote an understanding of the importance and necessity of verification of information in a politician, public administration employee, international relations specialist, journalist, businessman, law specialist, medical worker and many other professions, to present data verification and verification tools, and to develop skills to critically evaluate, question and verify information available on the Internet, social networks, in media and AI-generated content, to recognise fake data, to identify its origin, modes of distribution and impact targets, and to conduct research based on verified and reliable data.
Preliminary Knowledge
Computer skills, internet usage skills and advanced critical thinking and analytical skills.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.understanding the forms, causes and effects of the spread of false information, disinformation and misleading content in today’s information space
2.knowledge of the importance of information verification and fact-checking in various professional fields
3.knowledge of OSINT basics, assessment of sources of information and methods of data verification
4.understanding and use of common information verification tools
5.knowledge of the risks, limitations and need for verification of AI-generated content
Skills
1.be able to critically evaluate information, its sources and credibility
2.to identify false, misleading or manipulative information in a digital environment
3.learn how to use OSINT, fact-checking, and data verification tools to analyze information
4.to be able to identify the origin of the information, the types of dissemination and possible impact objectives
5.know how to compare different sources, verify facts, and select reliable data
6.to be able to develop research papers based on verified, verified and reliable information
Competences
1.ability to independently and responsibly navigate today’s information space
2.ability to make reasoned and evidence-based decisions on information
3.competence to use information verification approaches professionally in their study and professional activities
4.ability to assess responsibly the impact of digital content on society, security and the professional environment
5.advanced digital resilience and resilience to disinformation, manipulation and information risks
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Independent verification work |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
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The student independently selects or receives for analysis an information unit (news, image, video, social media recording, AI-generated content or other digital material), performs verification of its origin, content and reliability using appropriate fact-checking, OSINT and information verification methods and tools, identifies possible elements of manipulation, modes of distribution and impact objectives, and draws up a reasoned conclusion on the reliability of the information. Evaluation criteria for the report: understanding and relevance of the task; quality of verification of the origin, content and reliability of the information; validity of the use of fact-checking, OSINT and information verification methods; analiquity and critical approach; the reasonableness of the conclusions; structure, presentation, quality of language and adherence to academic style; quality of sources used and correct referencing. |
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|
2.
Essay “misinformation as Global Social risk” |
25.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Prepare a reasoned essay on the role of misinformation in today’s world as a global social risk, assessing its manifestations, distribution channels, impact on the individual, society and institutions, and justifying the role of information literacy, verification and critical thinking in reducing risk. Assessment criteria for essay: understanding and relevance of the topic to the task, quality of reasoning, analyticism and critical approach, structure and logical presentation of the work, language culture and academic style, and quality of use of sources. Structure of essay: an introduction justifying the topicality of the topic and formulating the main idea; a presentation analysing the causes, forms, consequences and mitigation of the spread of misinformation; conclusions summarising key findings and formulating the author’s assessment. |
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
|
1.
Exam - multiple choice test |
30.00% from total grade
|
10 points
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Details of the exam will be available in E-Studies. |
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2.
Participation and quality of responses in seminars |
15.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
A detailed description of the workshop’s tasks will be available in E-studies. Participation in seminars and quality of responses is assessed taking into account the student’s activity, preparedness, understanding of the topic of the course, ability to formulate answers in a reasoned and logical manner, critically analyse information, use appropriate terminology and engage in constructive academic discussion. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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types and objectives of the action. Algorithm bubbles and emotional manipulation in the digital space. Distribution mechanisms and channels.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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types and objectives of the action. Algorithm bubbles and emotional manipulation in the digital space. Distribution mechanisms and channels.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Psychological aspects. Cognitive prejudice, thinking errors (guest lecturer Linda Sudar).
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Telegram and TikTok (case study). Research and analysis of common features of disinformation channels.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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False information indications, types of recognition and methodologies.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Fake news in the Latvian infotainment and its unmasking (guest speaker Inga Spriņģe).
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Deconstruction of messages. Political analysis of political objectives and modes of exposure of Russia and China. FIMI concept.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Comments on Facebook under Latvian news publications (case for students of student Social Sciences) OR analysis of Covid-19 media events (case study for Medical students).
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Combating myths. How right to fight myths? Unmasking algorithm. Ai4debunk project.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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OSINT basics. Effective discovery search, digital footprint analysis, and verification of visual content.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Fact checking, verification tools, fact checker organizations. Bellingcat, first draft News, OSINT Framework, AFP fact Check/verification Handbook.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Attack on the Gaza Hospital Al-Ahli 17.10.2023 (case study).
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Artificial intelligence and synthetic media. Deepfake technology recognition. AI role in disinformation automation. Vid, WeVerify, reverse Image Search, PhotoForensics, lateral Reading.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Visual exposures in the Ukrainian infotle (case study).
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Reliable sources. Media’s role in disseminating true data. Academic environment. Fact Checker and verification organizations: EUvsDisinfo, re: Baltica, StopFake.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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Presentation of students’ independent verification work.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Silverman, Craig, ed. 2014. Verification Handbook: A Ultimate Guideline on Digital Content for Emergency Coverage. Maastricht: European Journalism Centre. (akceptējams izdevums)Suitable for English stream
Additional Reading
1.
Lewandowsky, Stephan, and John Cook. 2020. The Debunking Handbook 2020. Edited by Ullrich Ecker et al. Databrary.Suitable for English stream
Other Information Sources
1.
Rid, Thomas. 2020. Active Measures: The Secret History of Disinformation and Political Warfare. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.Suitable for English stream