Diplomacy & Politics Glossary

Engaging with a text by questioning, summarizing, and evaluating content to enhance understanding and retention.

Algorithmic bias occurs when automated systems produce unfair results due to flawed data or design.

The extent to which the processes and criteria used by algorithms are open and understandable to users and regulators.

The process by which certain information, ideas, or misinformation gain increased visibility and influence through repeated sharing and emphasis across media channels.

A critical approach that involves questioning assumptions and evaluating evidence carefully before accepting claims as true.

The visible, clickable text in a hyperlink that provides context about the linked content.

The division of media audiences into smaller groups based on different interests or demographics, leading to varied media consumption patterns.

The use of algorithms and artificial intelligence to identify and manage inappropriate or harmful content on digital platforms.

Private or informal communication channels used alongside official public communication to share information or opinions. Often occurs during live events like debates or conferences to influence or coordinate.

Leaving out relevant information or perspectives to skew a narrative or argument.

The process of favoring information that confirms preexisting beliefs and ignoring contradictory evidence.

A repetitive cycle where exposure to information confirms existing beliefs, reinforcing those beliefs and limiting openness to opposing views.

A situation where information appears to come from multiple independent sources but actually originates from a single source, creating false credibility.

Content designed to attract attention and encourage clicks by using sensationalist or misleading headlines that do not accurately represent the content.

The study of the sequence of clicks or online actions a user takes, used to understand behavior and improve digital experiences.

The total amount of mental effort being used in working memory during information processing.

A framework explaining how the amount of information processed affects learning and decision-making effectiveness.

Confirmation bias is the tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs and ignore opposing evidence.

The flattening of multiple social contexts into one online space, complicating communication and interpretation.

Selective editing of quotations to distort the original meaning and mislead the audience.

Bias introduced when information is interpreted or presented without considering the full context, leading to misunderstanding or misrepresentation.

The principle that privacy depends on the appropriate flow of information according to social norms within specific contexts. Violations occur when information spreads beyond its intended context.

Information that is factually accurate but misleading due to omitted or altered context around it.

Providing background information and circumstances to better understand a news story or claim.

Confirming information by consulting multiple independent and reliable sources.

The practice of manipulating or disguising data sources to make misleading or false information appear legitimate.

The graphical representation of information to help understand patterns, trends, and insights.

Principles guiding the honest and transparent presentation of data through charts and graphs to avoid misleading or manipulating audiences. It emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and context.

Analyzing the broader historical, social, and political context to interpret media messages accurately.

A slow and thoughtful reading process that emphasizes comprehension, critical analysis, and reflection over surface-level skimming.

Deepfakes use artificial intelligence to create realistic but fake audio or video that can mislead viewers.

Artificially created or manipulated audio recordings designed to convincingly imitate real voices to deceive listeners.

Techniques and tools used to identify manipulated videos or images generated by artificial intelligence.

A period of time during which a person refrains from using digital devices to reduce stress and improve focus.

The trail of data a person leaves behind while using the internet, including social media activity, browsing history, and online communications. Understanding it helps evaluate privacy and information reliability.

The ability to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information using digital technologies effectively and responsibly.

Deliberately false or misleading information spread to deceive or manipulate audiences.

An echo chamber is an environment where people only encounter information that reinforces their existing views.

Editorial independence ensures journalists can report without influence from owners or advertisers.

Editorializing occurs when journalists insert personal opinions into news reporting, compromising objectivity.

An informational environment where relevant voices are excluded unintentionally, leading to isolated knowledge and reinforcement of existing beliefs.

Recognizing the limits of one's knowledge and being open to new evidence or perspectives.

The cognitive mechanism that helps individuals assess the reliability of information sources and reject falsehoods.

Obtaining information or materials in a way that respects legal standards, privacy, and consent, avoiding harm or exploitation of sources.

Fact-checking is verifying information accuracy using reliable sources before accepting or sharing it.

The process where one verified fact-check triggers a series of further verifications, creating a chain reaction that helps uncover widespread misinformation.

Assigning a statement, quote, or idea to an incorrect or fabricated source to mislead or manipulate the audience.

Presenting two sides of an issue as equally valid when one side is supported by strong evidence and the other is not, misleading audiences about the truth.

A psychological phenomenon where a person recalls something that did not happen or recalls it differently from the way it actually happened.

A state where algorithms selectively show users information that aligns with their preferences, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives.

When algorithms or users fail to appropriately filter content, resulting in exposure to irrelevant, misleading, or harmful information.

The way information is presented influences decisions and judgments, often leading to different conclusions from the same facts.

The framing effect occurs when the way information is presented influences decision-making and judgments.

Disclosure of the sources of financial support behind media outlets or specific content to reveal potential conflicts of interest.

The process by which information is filtered and selected for dissemination by media organizations or individuals.

Monitoring and sharing information from various sources without acting as an exclusive gatekeeper, typical in social media environments.

Groupthink happens when desire for harmony leads groups to make poor decisions by suppressing dissent.

Communication that attacks or discriminates against a person or group based on attributes like race, religion, or ethnicity.

A situation where one party has more or better information than another, often leading to imbalance in power or decision-making.

The confusion caused by the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, blurring truth and falsehood.

A state of mental overload and exhaustion caused by exposure to excessive amounts of information, reducing the ability to process and make decisions.

Practices and habits aimed at maintaining accurate and reliable information consumption and sharing to prevent misinformation spread.

A state where excessive information makes it difficult to process or make decisions effectively.

People who avoid mainstream information channels due to distrust and seek alternative, often less reliable, sources.

Cues and signals in digital environments that guide users toward relevant information efficiently.

Pre-packaged information provided by sources to journalists to influence news coverage efficiently.

A situation where a lack of reliable information leads to speculation or the spread of rumors. It often occurs during crises or fast-moving events when official communication is absent or delayed.

A psychological approach where exposing people to weakened counterarguments strengthens their resistance to persuasion or misinformation.

Checking multiple sources outside the original page to evaluate the credibility of online information.

Media consolidation happens when a few corporations own increasing shares of media outlets, affecting diversity and independence of information.

The division of media audiences into smaller segments due to the proliferation of channels and platforms.

The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in a variety of forms to understand and critically engage with content.

Techniques used to distort or influence media content to shape public perception or behavior.

Rapid and widespread dissemination of misinformation during a crisis or epidemic, causing public harm.

False or inaccurate information shared without intent to deceive.

A misleading graph visually distorts data to misrepresent the truth or exaggerate a point.

Using numerical data in a way that distorts the truth, often by cherry-picking or manipulating visuals.

The cognitive bias where past moral behavior makes individuals more likely to engage in unethical actions without feeling guilt.

An exaggerated public reaction to a perceived threat, often fueled by sensational media coverage.

The tendency to interpret information in a way that fits a coherent story, sometimes ignoring contradictory evidence.

Narrative framing shapes how information is presented to influence audience perception and interpretation.

The theory that humans understand and communicate through storytelling, shaping beliefs and decisions.

The psychological process where individuals become mentally immersed in a story, influencing their beliefs and attitudes.

Advertisements designed to blend in with the content format of the platform, making them less distinguishable from editorial material.

Communities with limited access to credible local news sources, reducing informed citizenship and accountability.

Criteria journalists use to decide which events or stories are important and deserve coverage.

Using subtle policy shifts or design choices to influence people's behavior and decision-making in predictable ways.

The practice of presenting information fairly and without personal bias or influence.

Excluding or ignoring individuals or groups in social or media contexts to silence dissent.

The range of ideas tolerated in public discourse at a given time, influencing political and social acceptability.

The sudden purchase of large quantities of goods caused by fear or misinformation spreading through media.

Deliberately spreading fear or alarm through exaggerated or false information.

Audience members actively contribute to news production by sharing information, opinions, or eyewitness accounts.

The impact of peers on an individual's opinions, beliefs, or behaviors, especially in social media contexts.

Responsibility of social media companies to manage content, protect users, and prevent harm.

Platform governance involves rules and policies social media platforms use to moderate content and behavior.

Circumstances where emotional or personal beliefs have more influence on public opinion than objective facts.

Political culture where debate is framed largely by appeals to emotion disconnected from factual details.

The right of journalists and media organizations to report news without censorship or government interference.

A primary source provides original, firsthand evidence about a topic or event.

Exposure to one stimulus influences the response to a subsequent stimulus, affecting perception and behavior.

Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view.

A theory describing how mass media serves and propagates the interests of dominant elite groups.

An intermediary source that relays information from an original source, potentially impacting accuracy and credibility.

An event or activity designed solely to attract media attention and influence public perception rather than convey genuine news.

Claims presented as scientific but lacking empirical support, falsifiability, or adherence to the scientific method.

Satire detection involves identifying content meant to humorously criticize or mock rather than inform literally.

Using exciting or shocking stories or language to provoke public interest or excitement at the expense of accuracy.

Amplifying a message or piece of information, often through social media sharing, to increase its reach and impact.

The proportion of useful, relevant information compared to irrelevant or distracting data in media content.

The subtle bias or perspective in media coverage that influences how information is presented and perceived.

Presenting information in a biased way to favor a particular perspective or agenda.

The tendency of respondents to answer questions in a manner that will be viewed favorably by others, distorting survey or interview results.

The trustworthiness and expertise of a source providing information or news.

Using multiple independent sources to verify the accuracy and reliability of information.

The practice of clearly identifying and disclosing where information originates to allow verification and trust.

Presenting information with a biased interpretation to influence public perception positively or negatively.

The belief that others are more influenced by media messages than oneself.

The diminishing role of facts and analysis in public life, leading to increased reliance on opinion and subjective experience.

A communication technique that presents the truth before and after repeating misinformation to reduce its impact.

The tendency to seek out information that confirms existing beliefs while ignoring disconfirming evidence.

A step-by-step process to assess the reliability of information, starting from initial suspicion to full confirmation.

A self-reinforcing cycle where users share content that brings in new users who then share it further.

False or misleading information that spreads rapidly through social media and online platforms.

Virality describes how quickly and widely content spreads through social networks.

The idea that information about someone is more credible when it cannot be manipulated by that person.

Journalism focused on monitoring and exposing wrongdoing or abuses of power to hold authorities accountable.

Deliberately glossing over or ignoring negative aspects to present a more favorable image.

The tendency to remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed ones, affecting attention to information.