Analysis : Fake News - What is it and What Should Be Done?

 


Fake News is the spreading of false and/or misinformation without facts by communication. Anyone can create fake news reports in order to gain views, reads, or whatever the case may be. This is a prevalent problem especially in today’s technology based world. There are so many news outlets that release content everyday about various topics and issues in order to keep the public up-to-date. With everyone becoming their own reporters it is getting harder to tell the truth from lies. Some self reporters collect evidence and/or facts to support their claims, while others do it for fun with no real substantial evidence and/or facts.

News is spread by the use of social media platforms. People often follow their favorite celebrities. Anytime the celebrity posts something they agree with, individuals share and promote that topic. The weight of celebrities’ words holds a lot, that supporters are more willing to listen to what they have to say. In terms of partisanship, major news outlets are the targets because many claim they display favoritism to certain topics and issues while ignoring others. Viewers are leaning more towards podcasts news and websites that they claim are not biased, to receive their daily news read. Fake news in partisanship contributes to the decrease of trust and satisfaction of journalists and major news outlets and organizations (Dunaway and Graber 2023). In terms of political orientation, it is the same as partisanship within news outlets. A report showed that, foreign journalists and reporters that cover news based on the United States, are more left than U.S reporters and are more critical of U.S policies and lifestyles (Dunaway and Graber 2023).

Fake News is a part of the new norm. It comes with the advancement of technology. There is no way to remove it but to monitor and be able to fact-check by credible sources. The first suggestion would be to have a major website that lists any and all fake news sites and outlets that are misleading the general public. Having these sites and outlets listed will help individuals to know what resources cannot be trusted. The second suggestion is there be a fact-check engine system and/or server that checks websites and outlets statements made. Citizens deserve the right information inorder to make rational decisions. The third suggestion is for social media companies to also implement fact-checking servers to limit the spread of false news. Some media platforms have started this by adding small information tabs that send you to a credible sources link, where you can get more information on what was shared. Stopping the spread of fake news is almost impossible, but it is possible to slow it down and find effective ways to correct the news being shared.


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