Fake News - What is my role in this digital battle?

#fakenews

What is fake news and how can we be proactive in this digital battle?

This is a term that we have heard many, many times. It was popularized by none other than former President Trump. He liked to put blame on news outlets for publishing stories that painted him in an unflattering light. The former president has taken full responsibility for the term and has run with it. CNN reporter Jim Acosta has laid out a timeline of the dangerous use of the term and others that have made their way into Mr. Trump's everyday vocabulary.

Fake news can take various forms, often designed to mislead, deceive, or manipulate readers. Here are the common types of fake news:

1. Misinformation: This includes sharing inaccurate or misleading information without the intent to deceive. It can result from honest mistakes, rumors, or misunderstandings.

2. Disinformation: Deliberately spreading false information to deceive or manipulate the audience. This can be for political, financial, or other malicious purposes.

3. Satire and Parody: Content from satirical websites or humorous sources, presented in a way that could be mistaken for real news. While this is meant for entertainment value, it can sometimes be taken seriously and spread as such.

4. Clickbait: Sensational headlines or false claims designed to attract clicks and generate ad revenue. Clickbait often leads to low-quality or deceptive content. We want to believe in the dramatics, and that is why we tend to fall for fake news.

5. Deepfakes: Manipulated videos or audio recordings that make it appear as though individuals are saying or doing things they never did. Deepfakes use artificial intelligence and can be highly convincing.

6. Out-of-Context Quotes: Taking quotes or statements out of their original context to distort their meaning. This can be used to misrepresent public figures or create false narratives.

7. Fabricated Stories: Completely made-up stories with no basis in reality. These stories are often created to generate outrage, clicks. or to push a particular agenda. No truth to the story.

8. Manipulated Images: Using image editing software to alter photographs or create misleading visuals that support false narratives.

These are only some types of fake news. There are many more!

Source: https://library-nd.libguides.com/fakenews/categories

Why is it so easy to fall into the fake news trap?

People tend to seek out information that confirms their existing beliefs and values. Fake news that aligns with preconceived notions is more likely to be accepted without question. It often evokes strong emotions of fear, anger, or joy. Emotionally charged content tends to spread quickly and can cloud our judgment. People also trust information and news that is shared by friends and family. If a close contact shares fake news, it can increase its credibility. The sheer volume of information available online can make it challenging to sort out the truth from the lies. Sometimes it is not entirely our fault. Some fake news creators deliberately use psychological tactics to make their content more convincing. This can include using fake experts, fabricated statistics, or mimicking the style of legitimate news sources.

Don't worry, college professors fall victim to fake news too.

Our form of defense: EDUCATION

In the age of instant access and gratification, it is hard for us to filter out truths from deception, even if the deception happens to be accidental. Education and media literacy programs can play a crucial role in reducing the impact of false news on social media. These initiatives empower individuals to critically evaluate information they encounter online, fostering a more informed digital society.

Key ways in which they contribute:

1. Critical thinking: Education and media literacy programs teach individuals to think critically about the information they encounter. They promote skills like fact-checking, source verification, and assessing credibility. All essential to help people distinguish between reliable and unreliable content.

2. Identification of Biases: These programs educate individuals about various biases that can influence media and news reporting. This knowledge enables them to identify when a piece of news may be skewed or manipulated to serve a particular agenda.

3. Understanding Algorithms: Have you ever searched for something online and all of a sudden you see ads for it all over your feeds? That's algorithms at work! Learning how they work helps people recognize the role algorithms play in shaking their news feeds.

4. Digital Citizenship: Education programs emphasize online behavior, encouraging users to be cautious about what they share and to consider the broader implications of their actions on social media platforms.

5. Source Evaluation: We need to be able to assess the credibility of sources and to differentiate between reputable news outlets and unreliable sources. This can include checking for authorship, publication date, and sourcing.

6. Spotting Deepfakes and Misinformation: Media literacy programs equip people with the skills to identify deepfakes, doctored images, and misleading information, which are becoming more and more common on social media.

But wait... how are social media platforms and technology companies combating the spread of fake news?

Social media platforms and technology companies have taken various measures to combat the spread of fake news and misinformation. many platforms collaborate with fact-checking organizations to review and label content that contains false or misleading information. When content is flagged as fake, it may be demoted in algorithms or accompanied by fact-checking notices. Algorithms used by social media outlets have been modified to reduce the visibility of false or sensationalized content. Platforms aim to prioritize credible sources and deprioritize content that violates their policies. If these policies are violated the platform can remove or suspend accounts and remove any posts that incite violence or promote harmful conspiracies. There are also ways that users can report or flag content that may be of a suspicious nature. It is now easier than ever to report questionable content on social media platforms. Some tech and social media companies have started to collaborate with researchers to launch educational campaigns to promote media literacy and critical thinking among their users. While these efforts represent positive steps toward combating fake news, there are ongoing challenges, including the balance between free speech and content moderation and the evolving nature of disinformation tactics.

We Can Handle the Truth

In an age where misinformation and fake news continue to pose significant challenges, education, and media literacy emerge as formidable weapons in the fight against this growing threat. Empowering individuals with the skills to evaluate information, identify credible sources from unreliable, and recognize the tactics used to spread these falsehoods is pivotal. Education equips us with the tools to navigate the digital landscape responsibly, ensuring that we are not passive customers but active participants in shaping the accuracy of the information we come across. As we take the time to invest in these skills, we not only safeguard our own knowledge, but also contribute to a more informed, resilient, and truth-seeking society, where fake news finds itself increasingly marginalized by a vigilant and discerning audience.