PODCAST: Can we vaccinate ourselves against misinformation?

The Justice Department this month shut down nearly 1,000 pro-Russia social media bots masquerading as American citizens with a goal to promote stories that showed Russia and President Vladimir Putin in a favorable light. Pictured, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, with Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY), right, and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (KY), left, walking to meet with Senators on Dec. 12, 2023 in Washington, D.C.

The Excerpt / USA Today
This month, the U.S. Department of Justice shut down nearly 1,000 pro-Russia social media bots masquerading as American citizens. Their goal was to promote stories that showed Russia and President Vladimir Putin in a favorable light while sowing discord here in the U.S.

With the proliferation of fake news on social media, is it possible to vaccinate ourselves against untruths and lies? What is the psychology behind persuasion and influence that makes people fall prey to fake news? Sander van der Linden, professor of social psychology at the University of Cambridge, joins The Excerpt to discuss what it takes to resist persuasion on social media.

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