Is Disney battling Florida for an exemption to allow 18-year-olds to drink on their property?

Summary

A viral TikTok video claims Disney is lobbying to lower the drinking age to 18 at its parks, but this has been debunked. The video is part of PBS NewsHour's 'Is This Legit?' series, which investigates misinformation. The original source, Mousetrap News, was found to be a satire site that produces fake stories about Disney. The video encourages viewers to check sources, bios, and site details to identify satire or misinformation before sharing. Ultimately, the claim is rated 'not legit,' as no evidence supports it, and it originates from a satirical website.

Takeaways

• 🎢 Disney World is known for its thrilling rides and delicious food.
• 📱 A viral TikTok video from Mousetrap News suggests Disney is lobbying to lower the drinking age to 18 within the park.
• 🏢 Disney is supposedly battling the Florida government in court for a resort exemption to allow 18+ to drink.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The video encourages viewers to check the source and evidence before believing viral claims.
• 🔍 The article from Mousetrap News lacks evidence, sources, or court filings.
• ❌ The writing in the article has punctuation mistakes and no byline, which raises suspicion.
• 👤 Checking Mousetrap News' bio reveals it's a satire site, indicating the story is fake.
• 📚 The 'About' page of the website confirms Mousetrap News is a satire site, writing fake stories about Disney.
• 🤔 Satire is false information presented humorously to make a point, but it can be mistaken for misinformation.
• 📈 Examples of satire include The Onion, ClickHole, Saturday Night Live, and The Daily Show.
• 🔎 Tips for recognizing satire include researching the author, investigating the site's 'About' page, and questioning absurd claims.
• ❌ The claim about Disney lowering the drinking age is rated as not legit.

Q & A

What is the main claim in the viral Tick Tock video from Mousetrap News?

The main claim is that Disney World is lobbying the Florida government to lower the drinking age within the park to 18.

What does the term 'reading upstream' refer to in the context of the script?

Reading upstream refers to the practice of following the links provided in a viral post to find the original source and evidence for the claim being made.

Why is the lack of a byline on the Mousetrap News article suspicious?

A byline typically indicates the author of a news article, and most legitimate news sites include one. The absence of a byline can suggest that the source is not credible.

What does the bio of Mousetrap News on Tick Tock reveal about the authenticity of their content?

The bio of Mousetrap News states that they provide 'real Disney news that is a hundred percent fake,' indicating that their content is satirical and not meant to be taken as factual.

What is the purpose of the 'About' page on a news organization's website?

The 'About' page typically provides information about the type of news covered, the organization behind the site, and can help determine if the site is biased or not credible.

What does the first sentence on Mousetrap News' 'About' page reveal about their content?

The first sentence on Mousetrap News' 'About' page states that they are a satire site and anything read on their site is not true, real, or accurate but is meant to be fun.

What is the definition of satire as it relates to the content on Mousetrap News?

Satire is a form of humor that uses false information to make a point. It is meant to be humorous and not factual, but it can be mistaken for real news if readers do not recognize it as satire.

Why can satirical stories become misinformation?

Satirical stories can become misinformation when people do not realize they are satire and share them as if they are factual.

What was the mistake made by The New York Post in 2010 regarding a satirical news story?

The New York Post mistook a satirical story from njuz.net about a Serbian man killing a shark with his butt while drunk as a real news story.

What are the three tips provided in the script to help recognize online satire?

The three tips are: 1) Research the author to verify their credibility, 2) Investigate the site itself, especially the 'About' page, and 3) If the story seems too absurd or ridiculous, it might be satire.

What is the final rating given to the claim about Disney lowering the drinking age in the script?

The claim is rated as 'not legit' due to the lack of evidence, transparency about the author, and the clear satirical intent of the story.