How Disinformation About Abortion Spread in a Post-Roe America
Ask Students: Why is the misinformation surrounding abortion reversal pills potentially dangerous? What disinformation found its way into the Dobbs decision?
Summary
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, online researchers say disinformation about abortion has flooded websites and social media, and some of that disinformation is influencing public opinion and policy. Misleading and medically inaccurate information even found its way into the Dobbs decision. Learn about the spread of misinformation following the landmark Dobbs decision in this PBS NewsHour Classroom lesson. For a transcript of this story, click here.
Discussion Questions
- Who is Jenna Sherman and what does her organization advocate for?
- How has the spread and substance of misinformation changed since the Dobbs decision?
- What are examples of information pro-choice advocates spread on social media that is not based on scientific evidence?
- Why is the misinformation surrounding abortion reversal pills potentially dangerous?
- What disinformation found its way into the Dobbs decision?
Focus Questions
- How can you verify that information found online is accurate? What red flags might alert a student to disinformation or misinformation?
- What are some ways a student could fact check information they see on social media?
- How can disinformation or misinformation be dangerous in the modern world?
Additional Resources
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories.
