Media Literacy - How to Spot Fake News

• New lesson editor
• English
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)
• BTEC, GCSE

Introduction

Welcome to this lesson on Media Literacy - Fake News. You'll find lots of slides here to engage students on this hugely important issue. The lesson is of course easy to edit should you wish to alter any of the content. There is a copy of the fake news article about Bonfire Night attached if you want to use it as a physical handout for group work or accessibility. There is quite a variety of tasks here and even though the subject matter is serious, there are deliberate moments of satire here to highlight important points.

Media Literacy: How to Spot Fake News

Welcome to this lesson on media literacy, specifically how to spot fake news!

These slides are deliberately made easy to edit should you want to.

We hope you and your learners enjoy the lesson and find it useful. 

What is 'fake news'?

Real or Fake?

The following questions are based on widely circulated news stories. You need to decide whether they are real - or fake news! 

Information slide to set the next activity.

Some of the examples may be sensitive so please review and hide/alter as required. 

Tupac is alive and well and living in Cuba

A

REAL

B

FAKE

THE FACTS

Tupac Shakur was shot in Las Vegas on 7 September 1996 and died six days later. The official coroner’s report confirms this. There is no credible evidence he is alive.

Each question is followed by an informative slide. 

Conkers must be played with safety goggles in primary schools because of Health and Safety

A

REAL

B

FAKE

C

D

THE FACTS

There was no nationwide ban. One isolated school used goggles during a teacher demonstration for safety reasons, and the story was exaggerated by the press.

Each question is followed by an informative slide. 

Mass Exodus of Millionaires Leaving the UK

A

REAL

B

FAKE

C

D

THE FACTS

This story was based on flawed data from Henley & Partners, misinterpreting LinkedIn profiles.

 In fact, fewer than 1% of wealthy people emigrated—far from an “exodus” .

Each question is followed by an informative slide. 

Birmingham City Council banned Christmas and replaced it with ‘Winterval’ to avoid offending non-Christians

A

REAL

B

FAKE

THE FACTS

In 1997–1998, Birmingham City Council used the term 'Winterval' as a marketing brand for a series of winter events, including Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Chinese New Year. 

Christmas was never banned. In fact, Christmas lights, carol services, and references to Christmas were prominent in the city's events and advertising. 

The purpose was to encourage more people to shop and take part in festivities across communities, not to erase or downplay Christmas.

Each question is followed by an informative slide. 

5G caused Covid-19

A

REAL

B

FAKE

THE FACTS

This was scientifically debunked by public health bodies. 5G is non-ionising radiation and cannot transmit viruses.

https://fullfact.org/health/5G-towers-humans-animals-plants/

Each question is followed by an informative slide. 

Nurseries in the UK have to sing 'Baa Baa Rainbow Sheep' to be politically correct

A

REAL

B

FAKE

THE FACTS

In 2006, a nursery in Oxfordshire encouraged children to invent their own versions of nursery rhymes to promote creativity and inclusion.

One child came up with “Baa Baa Rainbow Sheep”, and staff celebrated the creativity.

Some staff used both “black” and “rainbow” versions during circle time.

No official ban was ever in place, and “Baa Baa Black Sheep” is still used.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/4782856.stm

Each question is followed by an informative slide. 

Migrants Given Free 5-Star Hotels While Veterans Sleep on Streets

A

REAL

B

FAKE

C

D

THE FACTS

Some asylum seekers were temporarily placed in budget hotels due to housing shortages during COVID. The 5-star claim was false, and veterans also receive targeted support.

https://fullfact.org/online/luxury-hotel-ireland-not-uk/

Each question is followed by an informative slide. 

The Southport killer was an asylum seeker

A

REAL

B

FAKE

THE FACTS

What Happened: A false name (“Ali al-Shakati”), religion, and country of origin were circulated on platforms like X within hours of the attack on  children in Southport.

Real Truth: The attacker was a British citizen named Axel Rudakubana, not an asylum-seeker, but the rumours triggered violent riots across the U.K. and stoked misdirected hatred against innocent people.

Why It Matters: Demonstrates how rapidly misinformation spreads and fuels hate, prompting MPs to seek stricter online safety rules.

All of these follow up slides could be opened up as a debate if time - the next few slides do allow for discussion though. 

Can you think of any other examples of 'fake news'?

How is fake news damaging?

Why do you think individuals and some news organisations push fake news?

How can you spot fake news?

Top Tips to Spot Fake News

Check the Source

Is it a well-known, reliable news outlet?Does the website look suspicious or amateurish (e.g. weird domain like truth-4-u.biz)?Be wary of sites you've never heard of, especially ones without an "About Us" or editorial information.

Read beyond the headline

Clickbait headlines are designed to provoke an emotional reaction. Read the full article — many fake news stories rely on misleading or exaggerated titles.

Deliberately used made up exaggerated headlines for the gif. The unintentionally Orson Welles lookalike is an AI fake news vendor!

Top Tips to Spot Fake News

Check the author

Is the article credited to a real person? Do they have other articles published elsewhere? Try Googling their name—do they exist?

Look at the date

Old stories can be recycled and presented as current to manipulate opinion. Is the article referencing out-of-date information or events?

Very pleased with LessonUp's AI tool with 'Pladimir Vutin' here! If you haven't used it yet give it a try!

Top Tips to Spot Fake News

Use the C.R.A.A.P. test

Evaluate content using:Currency – Is the info recent?Relevance – Does it meet your needs?Authority – Who’s the author/publisher?Accuracy – Is it supported by facts?Purpose – Is it trying to sell, persuade, or mislead?

Watch for emotional language

Fake news often uses extreme or emotional wording (“shocking,” “you won’t believe,” “furious”).If it makes you angry or scared—pause and question it.

It really is called the CRAAP test! Also comedy exaggerated headlines in the gif.

Top Tips to Spot Fake News

Check the images

Reverse search images on Google Images or TinEye to see where they’ve come from. Fake news often reuses old or edited photos. AI images are common with fake news too.

Cross-check with reputable sources

Can you find the story on trusted sites like the BBC, The Guardian, Reuters, or Full Fact UK?If it’s true, at least one major outlet will likely be reporting it.

The classic Trump/Pokemon card collection fake image!

Top Tips to Spot Fake News

Think before you share

Don’t spread misinformation unintentionally.If you’re not sure it’s true, don’t repost or retweet it.

Be suspicious of forwarded messages

“A friend of a friend said…” or WhatsApp forwards often spread rumours without evidence.Treat these like gossip: interesting, but not reliable.

The animations shouldn't take long to load in!

What should you do before sharing information?

A

Think before you share.

B

Post it immediately after reading.

C

Only share if it's from a friend.

D

Share it if it looks interesting.

Why is checking the author important?

A

To find their personal opinions.

B

To see their social media accounts.

C

To verify their credibility.

D

To check their popularity.

What should you do with clickbait headlines?

A

Share it immediately.

B

Believe it without question.

C

Read the full article.

D

Ignore it completely.

What should you check first about a source?

A

Does it have a catchy headline?

B

Is it a reliable news outlet?

C

Is it trending on social media?

D

Is it a popular blog?

What does CRAAP stand for?

A

Context, Reliability, Authorship, Astuteness, People.

B

Consistency, Relation, Actuality, Availabilty, Presuppositions.

C

Cheapness, Roles, Acuity, App-based, Preventable.

D

Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose.

Help Others to Spot Fake News

Older relatives are particularly vulnerable to fake news.

Articles and advertising are often aimed at fears and concerns of senior citizens 

Use your knowledge to advise them!

Even though we think of young people being victims of fake news: all ages are affected and can be misled.

How could you check that this article is fake?

Spotting Fake news

Very suspicious web site address!

Capital letters in headline and emotive language!

No such place as Bruffingham!

A step by step focus - there may be other things spotted e.g. no writer's name!

Spotting Fake news

No one is quoted as saying this!

Callout designed to trigger anti asylum seeker sentiment

Refers to another example of fake news - Musllims offended by Easter and it being banned

Combines several common fake news targets into one article

Combines revisionist history with a dash of 'health and safety gone mad'

Spotting Fake news

Continued focus.

What patterns do you notice with fake news?

Don't be manipulated

• Don't take everything you read at face value.

• Always check the information - where has it come from? Is it a reputable source? Who has written it?

• Find the story on different sites

• Have images been manipulated or are they A.I.?

• Is someone trying to make you believe a lie for a reason?

Information slide with revealing bullet points. 

What are you going to do differently going forward?

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