Some people are more susceptible to propaganda than others, willing to accept fake news and false claims without fact-checking.

"Don't confuse my mind with facts!"

Good school programs should equip all students with the thinking skills and attitudes to fend off misinformation, lies and propaganda. Unfortunately, many students pass through school here in the USA and overseas without ever developing either the skills or the attitudes. Some actually even grow to take delight in the absurd and the outrageous.


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As Putin sends his army into the Ukraine, the war is also being waged on other fronts, with misinformation and propaganda playing an extraordinarily important role. While false stories have always been a part of waging wars, social media may have brought about a huge shift, as most citizens now can film events and send the videos across borders and into homes where the government is lying.

The New York Times published an article "4 Falsehoods Russians Are Told About the War" detailing the major lies Putin has been spreading to justify his criminal assault on the Ukraine. 

"I understand how you're worrying for your beloved ones ... I emphasize that conscript soldiers are not participating in hostilities and will not participate in them," Putin said, reported Reuters. "And there will be no additional call-up of reservists."

The Russian president stated that only "professional military personnel" were involved in the invasion. He also said on March 5 that there were no plans to enlist conscripts to fight in the war in Ukraine.

After a post on Instagram complaining about his father’s disbelief went viral, he launched a website, papapover.com, which means “Papa, believe,” with instructions for Ukrainians about how to speak to their family members about the war.

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