Fake News: Can We Defeat It?
Fake news is constantly headlining the media, but how do we stay vigilant against the spread of disinformation?
It’s ironic that fake news has itself become a recurring news story in recent months. Encompassing everything from hoaxes to propaganda, this modern phenomenon is the scourge of legitimate media outlets. Fake news also poses challenges for social media platforms, that are repeatedly being accused of not doing enough to prevent false stories gaining traction.
Polarizing the Press
The growing frequency of major political events may be partly responsible for the rise of fake news, while similar accusations can be leveled against our increasingly self-righteous natures. Elections were once accepted, but now they’re challenged in the courts and endlessly rehashed in online arguments. Fake news taps into a growing sense that we’re right and other people are wrong – playing to a confirmation bias that’s hardwired into us.
Political Problems
Being able to reference news articles or surveys to support a point of view is very appealing. This is especially true for winning argument otherwise lost. Unfortunately, it’s becoming hard to tell whether this evidence is actually true or not. Platforms have sprung up around the world containing stories either loosely based on reality, or completely fabricated. The mythical Denver Guardian was one of many supposedly legitimate platforms publishing imaginary propaganda last year, yet it had a tangible impact on the American presidential election. In addition, there have been several examples where other countries have been accused of tampering with democratic procedures and beyond.
Fake news is not a new phenomenon
The planting of false stories goes back to the beginning of time. The old Soviet Union devoted considerable resources and manpower to it throughout the ideological battles during the Cold War. Disinformation is a foundation of Russian military doctrine. There is a strategic plan now targeted at political debates in specific countries. The difference now is that with technology there is far greater sophistication and penetration than in the past.
How to defeat fake news:
Be Sceptical … Always
The first step to identifying and defeating fake news is to approach every story with a degree of skepticism, even from reputable sources. The BBC and Daily Mail published an article in late 2015 about a Vietnamese man with an unfortunate name. Of course, Phuc Dat Bich didn’t exist, and many readers saw straight through this Facebook hoax. But while the outcome of this incident was embarrassment for media outlets, other made-up stories have done far more damage to people’s reputations. Not to mention damage to truth itself. These hoaxes can be extremely difficult to spot, so it’s better to be wary.
Determine Origins
Stage two in any war on fake news involves identifying the origins of a story. If a website provides a link to improbable source material, it might be worth clicking that link. Make sure that your antivirus package is up to date first. If a shocking statement is attributed to a supposed expert, searching for their name can confirm their existence and whether they made those comments. Be suspicious of content hosted on websites with an unusual suffix like .com.co. These web address endings indicate a crude attempt at looking genuine. Email scammers use similar tactics by sending messages from linkedin9.com or face8ook.com email addresses.
Social Media is Not Always News
Social media is a fertile breeding ground for fake news. So approach stories in other people’s timelines with caution. Articles can go viral very quickly, making it impossible to fully debunk them. Facebook has refused to tackle this problem head-on. They recently claimed it’s “not appropriate” for Facebook “to be the arbiter of the truth”. The instantaneous nature of Twitter and Snapchat makes clamping down on rogue accounts or outright lies logistically complex. While proposed “fake news” buttons have the potential to be widely abused.
Maintain Diligence
The spread of fake news would cease overnight if everyone stopped sharing and reposting it. No matter how much you’d like a myth to be true, presenting it as a fact only damages an argument. Defeating fake news is a challenge for the people it’s aimed at, not the platforms carrying it. It’s up to society as a whole to stop it.