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Ukraine-Russia Crisis

A collection of resources to help understand the ongoing conflict happening between Ukraine and Russia

State-Sponsored News

State-sponsored News: Sources, particularly in repressive or authoritarian states, operating under government control that create and spread disinformation.

One of the Russian-sponsored sources you might come across on social media is RT (formerly known as Russian Times).

Fact vs. Fiction: Russian Disinformation on Ukraine

The United States Department of State has released a fact sheet on Russian disinformation regarding Ukraine.

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When it comes to breaking news, it's easy to see — and unintentionally spread — bad information. Always verify information with other sources. Statistics like casualty reports are likely to change as time passes and more is learned about each situation.

Types of Information Content

Adapted from Cornell University Library:

  • Credible: Sources that circulate news and information in a manner consistent with traditional and ethical practices in journalism. (Remember: even credible sources sometimes rely on clickbait-style headlines or occasionally make mistakes. No news organization is perfect, which is why a healthy news diet consists of multiple sources of information, especially sources that issue corrections on previous reporting).
  • Political: Sources that provide generally verifiable information but only when it supports certain points of view or political goals.
  • Fake News: Sources that entirely fabricate information, disseminate disinformation and deceptive content, or grossly distort actual news reports.
  • Misinformation: False information that is spread regardless of an intent to mislead.
  • Disinformation: False claims and information and conspiracy theories that are spread with the intent to mislead. Propaganda.
  • Clickbait: Sources that use exaggerated, misleading, or questionable headlines, social media descriptions, and/or images to generate traffic on a website.
  • DeepFakes: Use of video software to create events that never happened or distort a person's statements for propaganda purposes or to discredit public figures for political gain.
  • Satire: Sources that use humor, irony, exaggeration, ridicule, satire, and false information to comment on current events.
  • Junk Science: Sources that promote discredited conspiracy theories or scientifically false or unverifiable claims.
  • Hate News: Sources that actively promote racism, misogyny, homophobia, and other forms of violence, bias, and exclusion.