How Much Fake News Is Influencing You?

In today’s digital age, misinformation, often referred to as “fake news,” poses a significant threat to the way we consume information. This false information, which is frequently spread through media outlets and social media, can have dangerous consequences. The ease with which news can be shared online means that misleading stories can reach millions instantly, amplifying the risk.

The term “fake news” has gained prominence in recent years. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, which was only added in 2019. However, its usage surged by 365 per cent between 2016 and 2017, as reported by The Guardian. The phrase became particularly popular during Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, despite the fact that the term has existed since the 19th century, according to historical records.

A global poll conducted in January 2020 revealed a troubling decline in trust towards news. Only 38 per cent of respondents indicated that they trust most news most of the time, down four percentage points from 2019. Furthermore, less than half of those surveyed trust the news sources they personally use.

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford noted that even before the COVID-19 pandemic, over half of their global sample expressed concern about distinguishing true from false information online.

Richard Bowyer, a Senior Lecturer in Journalism at the University of Derby, emphasizes the threat fake news poses to journalism. He notes, “Nowadays everyone is an editor and everyone can publish news – especially on social media.”

Why Do People Share Fake News?

Research from Loughborough University’s Online Civic Culture Centre in 2019 found that 42.8 per cent of news sharers admitted to sharing false or inaccurate news. The study highlighted that people primarily share news to inform others and express their feelings.

Richard Bowyer explains, “People share fake news for various reasons. They might think it’s interesting or want to present their opinions as facts to influence others. This blurs the line between opinion and fact, making it dangerous as it aims to change how people think.”

The role of tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Twitter in curbing the spread of fake news remains contentious. In 2016, Facebook introduced tools to report and flag fake news following widespread criticism. Google launched a $300 million initiative in 2019 to support journalism and developed tools to identify misinformation.

Bowyer highlights the challenge these companies face: “While Google and Facebook are trying to combat fake news, they can’t do it alone. Everyone needs to be vigilant. Develop a critical mindset to evaluate the validity of news. Question the facts, sources, and the organization behind the article.”

 

Fake News in Politics

The issue of fake news became particularly pronounced during the 2019 UK general election. An Intuit Research/Norstat poll found that around half of UK adults believed political parties were spreading fake news ahead of the December 12 election. The Conservative Party faced criticism for rebranding one of its Twitter accounts as “factcheckUK” during a live debate, a move seen as misleading.

All major political parties, including the Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats, were accused of distributing campaign materials disguised as newspapers. Full Fact, an independent fact-checking charity, works to expose and counteract the harm caused by misinformation. Will Moy, Chief Executive of Full Fact, expressed concerns over outdated election laws that left the election vulnerable to misinformation.

 

The Impact of Fake News During the Coronavirus Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a new wave of fake news, with misinformation spreading about treatments and theories related to the virus. These false claims, such as the link between 5G technology and the virus or President Trump’s suggestion of ingesting bleach, have posed serious risks. The NHS and UNESCO have taken steps to combat this misinformation, with the World Health Organization adding a myth-busting section to its website.

Dr. William Van Gordon, Associate Professor in Contemplative Psychology at the University of Derby, warns that fake news can harm psychological wellbeing. He advises critically evaluating news and creating a perceptual distance to better manage its impact.

In March 2020, the UK government launched specialist units to tackle coronavirus-related fake news, identifying up to 70 incidents per week. Despite efforts from social media platforms, more work is needed to address the issue. Richard Bowyer advocates for government intervention to promote news literacy and encourage critical evaluation of information.

“I firmly believe that the news organizations that will thrive in the future are those that earn trust. High-quality journalism is more crucial than ever,” Bowyer concludes.

 

 

 

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