Fake news is not a new concept however it is more sophisticated in the 21st century. There are foreign agitators wanting to disrupt America’s democratic system sometimes the agitators are domestic.
Over the years, people have shifted from reading newspapers to relying on social media platforms to receive the news. While there are more participants involved in the world of journalism, bad actors are using the space to mislead the public. The rise of conspiracy theories and hate groups increased the distrust of traditional journalism. While we can’t prevent individuals from spreading disinformation, users and tech companies have the responsibility to create a safer online environment. The sophistication of bad actors has made it easier for individuals to believe false claims.
Tech companies have the opportunity to monitor and remove obscene posts through content moderation. Under Section 230, social media platforms are provided immunity when it comes to their user’s posts. The companies are permitted to moderate their services by removing offensive content that violates their standards. Content moderation is the process of monitoring user-generated content and making sure it upholds an online platform’s regulations. The goal is to reduce the visibility of spam content which helps improve the user’s experience.
One of the ways to fix the fake news is to educate. It’s easy for individuals to fall into the trap of misinformation. Sometimes its presentation is more appealing than the normal factual news. It meant to generate an emotional reaction and be viral. Social media platforms have played an important role in the increase of misinformation. While it’s convenient to get your news on Twitter, bad actors have taken advantage of the open space that the internet provides to sow hateful propaganda. The pandemic made the issue of fake news worse because everyone was engaging with Instagram and other platforms more than usual. The fear and uncertainty of COVID-19 set into people and they tried to find a space where they could find comfort. In order to find a solution to fake news, I will continue my research about the bad actors who continue to instill the misinformation and the companies that allow it.
Is the misleading information presented as news. The stories are often fabricated and have no credible sources or quotes. With the internet and algoithms, it is easier to spread misinformation. The content is designed to go viral and create discord among different communities. The rise of social media has also made it easier to spread and exist fake news. A post that receives more shares or likes will generate more traffic.
Take the 2016 Presidential election as an example. Notable platforms received a lot of flack for their lack of content moderation on their sites. The election season was different than the rest because of the involvement of the Russian government. Russian bots polluted our social media feeds and started to sway vulnerable voters. The bots “are framed to serve Russia’s interests in undermining Americans’ trust in our institutions” (Warren & Linvill, 2019). The goal was to create discord within America’s democratic system. The bad actors took advantage of social movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo to further polarize Americans. By election day, Americans were either for Donald Trump, against him or decided not to vote at all.
Credibility plays an important role in communication. Over the years, Americans have lost credibility in the institutions we are suppose trust. With bad actors infiltrating the world of traditional journalism, it is hard lot of vulnerable Americans to distinguish falsified news.
Here’s small steps what we can do to prevent fake news
Its important for reputable news organizations to fact-check and call out fake news.
Restoring the confidence in high-quality journalism will be difficult.
Know the difference between fact and opinion.
There is a distinction between subjective and objective reality.
Our subjective reality (opinion) is what we can, see, or hear. Its the first person narrative. The objective reality (fact) is difficult to prove and infinite.
Build a repertoire of diverse voices.
Before careful not to rely on like-minded news organizations can limit the information they receive.
Sources
Warren, P., & Linvill, D. (2019, NOVEMBER 25). That Uplifting Tweet You Just Shared? A Russian Troll Sent It. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/russia-troll-2020-election-interference-twitter-916482/amp/