Germany’s Federal Agency for Civic Education has recommended that people should take four steps in order to help to distinguish real news from fake news.
Look closely.
Think for yourself.
Think critically.
Check sources.
Good advice, as long as people know how to ‘think critically’. It is to be hoped that programmes of ‘civic education’ include the development of people’s skills of critical thinking.
Critical thinking needed for success
In a recent publication by the Brookings Institute, ‘Competencies for the 21st century’, the importance of these competencies has been stressed. As it explains, ‘The